Kangana Ranaut says 'disaster funds end up in the Sonia Relief Fund', slammed by Congress

In a heated exchange, the Himachal Pradesh Congress has demanded that BJP MP Kangana Ranaut either retract her allegations of misuse of disaster relief funds or face legal action. Ranaut accused the Congress-led government of diverting funds intended for disaster relief to Sonia Gandhi, igniting a strong response from Congress leaders.

Vikramaditya Singh, the state's Public Works Department Minister, condemned Ranaut's statements as baseless and defamatory. He challenged her to provide proof of her claims or apologize within a week, warning that failure to do so would result in a defamation lawsuit. Singh emphasized that funds from the central government are thoroughly audited, questioning Ranaut's lack of evidence for her accusations.

Singh also highlighted Ranaut's recent reprimand from her party regarding her comments on the farmers' protest. This suggests that she continues to ignore advice from BJP leadership. He labeled her statements as "intellectual bankruptcy" and questioned the rationale behind her claims that state finances are being exploited for personal gains.

During a recent membership drive, Ranaut criticized the Congress government, suggesting its handling of disaster funds has adversely affected the state. She accused the government of using disaster relief for political gain, a claim that Singh vehemently denied, asserting that all funds are managed transparently.

Amid this political turmoil, Himachal Pradesh is grappling with severe financial challenges exacerbated by natural disasters. The Chief Minister announced salary deferments for cabinet members as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the affected populace, alongside financial assistance from the central government to address these pressing issues.