Himachal Minister Vikramaditya Singh Supports Rival Kangana Ranaut Amid Controversy

Political Rivalry Takes an Unexpected Turn

MANDI: Vikramaditya Singh, the Public Works Department Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has expressed support for his political opponent, Kangana Ranaut, despite their previous rivalry. This comes after Kangana's contentious social media post, which drew a comparison between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump, was reportedly removed following advice from BJP national president JP Nadda.

Previously, Vikramaditya and Kangana have exchanged sharp criticisms on various topics. However, he recently shared a cryptic message on social media that many interpret as a critique of the BJP leadership's decision to silence Kangana, while also subtly defending her freedom of expression.

Kangana's Post and the BJP's Response

Vikramaditya stated, "Those who dare to speak the truth are being made to delete their words," without directly naming anyone. He raised concerns about the silence surrounding Trump's alleged threats to Apple regarding its production plans in India and expressed solidarity with individuals who face suppression for speaking out.

The timing and nature of his message have led to speculation, with political analysts viewing it as an unusual moment of ideological convergence between two fierce rivals. The controversy began when Kangana, now serving as an MP from Mandi, posted a provocative message on social media in response to reports that Trump had allegedly pressured Apple CEO Tim Cook to limit production in India to domestic needs only. In her now-deleted post, she praised PM Modi while subtly ridiculing Trump.

Kangana remarked, "What could be the reason for this loss of affection? He is the American President, but the world’s most loved leader is the Indian Prime Minister. Trump is eyeing a second term, while Modi is heading into his third. Trump may be an alpha male, but our PM is the father of all alpha males."

Shifting Dynamics in Political Rivalry

She concluded her post with a pointed inquiry: "Is this personal jealousy or diplomatic insecurity?" The post quickly gained traction, eliciting both support and criticism. However, shortly after, Kangana disclosed that JP Nadda had personally reached out to her, requesting the removal of the post to prevent potential diplomatic fallout.

In a subsequent statement, she expressed regret for her comments, stating, "Respected Shri @JPNadda ji asked me to delete the tweet I had posted regarding Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook. I regret expressing such a personal opinion and immediately deleted it from Instagram as well." The rivalry between Vikramaditya and Kangana has been a significant topic in Himachal Pradesh's political landscape.