Kangana Ranaut: BJP’s star asset or political liability?

Kangana Ranaut, the Bollywood icon-turned-politician and MP from Mandi, has emerged as a double-edged sword for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While her stardom and fiery speeches have attracted media buzz and youth support, her repeated public outbursts are becoming a source of deep embarrassment for the party’s central leadership and the Himachal Pradesh unit.

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A dilemma for party

Several senior BJP leaders in Shimla and Delhi, speaking off the record, admitted that informal counselling has failed to rein in Ranaut. Despite repeated efforts, she continues to breach the party’s code of decorum with impunity, often straying into sensitive subjects like foreign policy, national history, or internal politics—areas where ill-informed or provocative comments carry significant consequences.

Taking disciplinary action, however, is fraught with political risk. Ranaut enjoys massive popularity, not just as a film star, but also as a vocal proponent of aggressive nationalism. Her support base in Mandi and beyond includes BJP loyalists, first-time voters and those drawn to her anti-establishment tone. Any move to sideline her could alienate these groups and damage the party’s foothold in Himachal Pradesh, especially as Congress seeks to make a comeback.

Her strong-headed and independent temperament makes the situation even more complex. Party insiders fear that disciplinary steps might provoke her into open defiance or even rebellion—a risk BJP can ill afford. Given her combative nature and history of unfiltered public engagement, such a fallout could create internal rifts and send a message that the party is intolerant of high-profile individuals who refuse to toe the line.

Hyper-nationalism meets sarcasm

Ranaut recently stirred controversy with a now-deleted tweet on former US President Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Responding to reports that Trump discouraged Apple from expanding in India, she tweeted: “Why this sudden love loss?” She then boldly suggested that Trump may be an alpha male, but India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “sab alpha male ka baap” (father of all alphas). The post blended nationalism with sarcasm, portraying Modi as a global strongman eclipsing even Trump.

Opposition’s taunt adds fuel

The controversy gave Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh—who lost to Ranaut in the Mandi Lok Sabha race—an opening to strike. In a sarcastic jab, he referred to Ranaut as his “elder sister who tried to speak the truth but was silenced”. Mocking her tweet, he added, “Hum unke param mitar hain na” (I’m her great friend). Singh, who often targets Ranaut, once again called her the “queen of controversies”.

Kangana Ranaut’s entry into politics added glamour and noise to the BJP campaign, but her unchecked statements on complex national matters have become a liability. For BJP, managing her unpredictability has become a tightrope act: punishing her risks backlash, but ignoring her could dent the party’s image and discipline.

(Writer is a senior political analyst based in Shimla)