Black flags shown to Kangana Ranaut demonstrate growing anger of people towards BJP: Congress

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 20 : Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee working president Sanjay Awasthy on Monday said that the protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Kangana Ranaut demonstrate the growing anger of the people towards the BJP.
This comes after black flags were shown and slogans were raised against actor-politician Kangana Ranaut during her visit to Kaza in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh on Monday.
People also raised "Kangana Ranaut go back" slogans against the actor-turned-politician.
Notably, the BJP has alleged that Congress workers were behind the protest.
Kangana Ranaut, accompanied by former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, had visited Kaza to address a public rally.
"Avasthi emphasized that despite ruling for a decade, the BJP lacks any substantial issues today and is resorting to empty promises for 2047. The party's situation has deteriorated to the point where they have neither relevant issues nor the ability to mislead the public. Recent incidents, such as BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut facing protests with black flags and "go back" slogans in Lahaul-Spiti, demonstrate the growing anger of the people towards the BJP. Similarly, in Haryana, BJP candidates are encountering public opposition," as per a press release from the HP Congress committee.
Awasthy added that while BJP candidates are facing resistance in the state, Congress candidates are gaining support due to the effective implementation of welfare schemes by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal within a short span of 15 months.
"Avasthi said While BJP candidates face resistance, Congress candidates are gaining support due to the state government's effective implementation of welfare schemes within a short span of 15 months under Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal's leadership. The people of the state are openly aligning with Congress candidates," as per the release.
BJP's Kangana Ranaut is contesting against Congress heavyweight and the son of late former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, Vikramaditya Singh for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat.
The Mandi constituency holds symbolic significance for the Congress, as it is considered a bastion of the Virbhadra family. The seat is currently held by Pratibha Devi Singh, the late leader's widow. She wrested the seat for the Congress in the bye-election that was held following the demise of then-BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.
Polling in Himachal, which is scheduled for June 1, will not only pit candidates vying for Lok Sabha membership from four seats but also elect members for six assembly seats that fell vacant following the resignation and switchover of dissident Congress lawmakers.
The BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the 2019 elections, is eyeing an encore this time.