The recent announcement by the BJP to field Kangana Ranaut as a candidate from the Mandi parliamentary seat in Himachal Pradesh has added a Bollywood twist to the Lok Sabha elections. This decision came as no surprise to political observers, as Kangana has been hinting at a career in politics for the past two years and has been vocal about her admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her candidature is seen as a natural choice, considering her personal connection to the region, being born and raised in Mandi district.

Kangana's family's political inclination has also played a role in this decision. While they initially supported the Congress, they later shifted their allegiance to the BJP. Kangana's great-grandfather was an MLA, and her mother retired as a schoolteacher from Mandi.

The nomination of Kangana came just after her 37th birthday, which she celebrated by visiting local temples in Himachal. There were previous speculations about her being fielded from Chandigarh, where she had studied, but now those rumors are put to rest.

Expressing her excitement and gratitude, Kangana took to the microblogging site X to announce her official joining of the party. She stated, “My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Janta’s own party, Bharatiya Janta party (BJP) has always had my unconditional support, today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Loksabha candidate from my birthplace Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high command’s decision on contesting Loksabha polls. I feel honoured and elated to officially join the party. I look forward to be a worthy karyakarta and a reliable public servant. Thanks.

The Mandi parliamentary seat has seen a mixed history in terms of political representation. Congress has had a strong presence, winning three times in the past. However, in the last two general elections, the BJP emerged victorious. Unfortunately, in the 2021 by-elections, the BJP's elected MP, Ram Swaroop Sharma, tragically passed away.

Overall, Kangana's entry into the political arena adds an interesting dimension to the electoral race in Himachal Pradesh, infusing it with the glamour and intrigue of Bollywood.