'Would not say I'm enjoying politics’: Kangana Ranaut scoffs at people coming to her 'with panchayat-level problems’

Kangana Ranaut was speaking on All India Radio’s Atma Nirbhar in Ravi podcast

Actress-turned-politician, Kangana Ranaut said she isn’t enjoying her first stint as the BJP MP from Mandi.

Speaking on All India Radio’s Atma Nirbhar in Ravi podcast, Ranaut shared her views on the challenges of her new role.

“I’m getting a hang of it. I wouldn’t say that I am enjoying it (politics). It’s a very different kind of work, more like social service. This hasn’t been my background. I’ve never thought of serving people,” she said.

Kangana also expressed surprise at some of the issues that people approach her these days. “I’ve fought for women’s rights, but that’s different… Somebody’s naali is broken, and I’m like, ‘But I am an MP and these people are coming to me with panchayat-level problems’. They don’t care. When they see you, they come to you with problems like broken roads, and I tell them that’s a state government issue, and they say, ‘You have money, you use your own money,” she told AIR.

When asked about her political ambitions and whether she sees herself as a future Prime Minister, the Queen actor dismissed the idea, saying, “I don’t think I’m competent to be the PM of India, nor do I have the necessary passion or inclination.”

She also said social work has never been her background. “I’ve lived a very selfish kind of life. I want to have a big house, a big car, I want to have diamonds. I want to look good. That’s the kind of life I’ve lived,” said the actor.

Ranaut recently faced criticism for a delayed visit to Mandi following a cloudburst. She later toured the affected areas and assured locals that their concerns would be addressed swiftly.  As many 14 people died due to a cloudburst and flood-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district.

Meanwhile, state revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi called her recent visit to Mandi as a “photo op”. “She just came to click a few photographs and left. People on the ground know who is really working and who’s just coming for a photo-op,” Negi, who is also the horticulture minister, said while talking to media persons on Wednesday.

Kangana Ranaut contested on BJP ticket and won the Lok Sabha elections 2024 from the Mandi constituency. Kangana won in the Mandi Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 74,755 votes against her Congress rival, Vikramaditya Singh.