Himachal Pradesh minister flays BJP MP Kangana Ranaut for doubting rescue work

Shimla: In the aftermath of recent floods in Himachal Pradesh, which have claimed 55 lives and left 40 missing, Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi hit out at BJP MP and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut for criticizing the Congress government’s rescue efforts, a Congress leader said on Thursday.

Negi urged her to act responsibly and refrain from politicizing the tragedy. He cautioned Ranaut that irresponsible statements could demoralize rescue workers.

The Revenue Minister, speaking to media on Wednesday, said Ranaut chose to visit the flooded sites only after the weather improved but rescue workers had been involved in crisis response from the moment the cloudbursts struck on July 31.

He also dismissed as false the MP’s claims that the central government had provided substantial financial assistance to the state to face the emergency.