Bollywood actress and newly-elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s recent visit to Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi has ignited a major political controversy. The 38-year-old Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, expressed her preference for staying in the Chief Minister’s suite at the Maharashtra Sadan, an act which has sparked sharp exchanges between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
The actress-turned-politician made her visit on the opening day of Parliament on Monday. According to sources, she inspected almost all available rooms at Maharashtra Sadan but found many of them too cramped for her liking. Eventually, she developed a fondness for the spacious and lavishly appointed Chief Minister’s suite, leading to her interest in staying there.
This preference did not sit well with many, particularly within the ranks of the Opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut was quick to criticize Ranaut for what he called a “preposterous” demand. Raut sarcastically suggested that if she was so particular about her accommodations, she might as well have requested to stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. His comments were aimed at highlighting what he termed the actress’s audacity in eyeing Maharashtra Sadan.
In a more lenient yet dismissive tone, former Congress minister Yashomati Thakur surmised that Ranaut’s inexperience as a newly-elected MP might have led her to make such a request ignorantly. Thakur suggested that Ranaut might not yet be well-versed with the established protocols regarding the allocation of accommodations for MPs.
Clyde Crasto, National Spokesperson for the NCP(SP), did not hold back either. Recalling an incident from three years ago, when Ranaut compared Mumbai and Maharashtra to Pakistan during a public spat with the then CM Uddhav Thackeray, Crasto questioned her sudden change of heart. Crasto noted the actress’s recent claim that Maharashtra felt like a second home, thereby asking pointedly why she didn’t contest the Lok Sabha elections from Maharashtra instead of her birthplace in Himachal Pradesh.
Adding to the controversy, BJP MLA Nitesh N Rane hit back at the MVA leaders, defending Ranaut and targeting the opposition for their criticisms.
. He raised questions about the tenure of disgraced ex-cop Sachin Vaze at Uddhav Thackeray’s residence, calling for the MVA leaders to first clarify that situation. Furthermore, Rane took a jab at Sanjay Raut, pointing out that Raut entered Parliament through the Rajya Sabha, whereas Kangana Ranaut was elected directly by the people.
Caught in this political crossfire, officials from Maharashtra Sadan, who wished to remain anonymous, pointed out procedural concerns. They suggested that as an elected MP from Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut should have made her accommodation requests to authorities at Himachal Bhawan rather than Maharashtra Sadan. However, they diplomatically refrained from passing a direct judgment on her request.
Amid this war of words, the tension within political circles continues to intensify. The controversy has thrown light on the complex dynamics of political affiliations and territorial jurisdictions. It also underscores the highly charged nature of political accommodation in Delhi, where such issues often become symbolic battlegrounds.
Adding further intrigue to the situation, this incident coincides with the opening of the Parliament session, a period already fraught with political posturing and high-stakes debate. Within this environment, Kangana Ranaut’s request for the CM’s suite has inadvertently sparked a debate about political privilege and protocol, raising questions that extend beyond the immediate issue to larger themes of governance, propriety, and political culture in India.
Mid-day, which published the original story citing third-party sources, carefully dissociated itself from the reliability and veracity of the data, while reserving the right to modify or remove content at its discretion.
As this matter continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how both Kangana Ranaut and the involved political parties will navigate the aftermath of this incident. Whether it will result in any changes to the accommodation protocols for MPs or fade as another instance of political theatrics remains speculation at this point.
This event is a microcosm of the broader political landscape in India, highlighting the sometimes-controversial intersection of celebrity, politics, and entitlement. It serves as a reminder of the myriad challenges that come with governance and the ever-watchful public eye scrutinizing every action of the elected representatives.
