The BJP on Tuesday distanced itself from Mandi MP and actor Kangana Ranaut's controversial statement on now-repealed farm laws, stating that her remarks do not reflect BJP's views on the issue.
Ranaut, during an interview, said the farm laws should be brought back and the farmers themselves should demand it. "The laws in farmers' interest be brought back. Farmers should themselves demand this (to bring farm laws back) so that there is no hindrance to their prosperity. Farmers are a pillar of strength in India's progress. Only in some states, they had objected to farm laws. I appeal with folded hands that farm laws should be brought back in the interest of farmers," she said.
#WATCH | BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia says, "On the social media platforms, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's statement on the farm bills that was withdrawn by central govt, is going viral. I want to make it clear that this statement is a personal statement of her. Kangana Ranaut is not… pic.twitter.com/hZmJ8j7Qf8
— ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2024
The farmers' protest, which rankled the BJP leadership in Punjab and Haryana, had created an uproar, following which the Narendra Modi government decided to roll them back. The party paid a huge price for the controversial laws during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Even during the campaigning, some furious villagers prevented the BJP candidates from entering their villages.
The Congress too pounced on Kangana's remark and accused the BJP of trying to bring back the laws. The party alleged on X that the Congress was with the farmers and would not allow it to happen "no matter how hard Narendra Modi and his MPs try".
Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera also shared the video on X and said it was the BJP's "real thinking". "How many times will you deceive the farmers, you two-faced people?" Khera said in a post in Hindi.
However, the BJP embarked on a damage control mode, stating that Kangana was not authorised to make such statements on the party's behalf. "I want to make it clear that this statement is her personal view. Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to make such a statement on behalf of BJP and it doesn't depict BJP's view on the farm bills. We disapprove of this statement," BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia said.
This isn't the first time that Kangana Ranaut is making a controversial statement about the farm laws. Last month, Kangana triggered a controversy by stating that the farmers' protest could have led to a Bangladesh-like crisis in India if not for the decisive actions of the Modi government. She added that the farmers' protest was "a conspiracy by foreign powers and these filmy people thrive on it."
