The confusion arose due to the similarity in names between Tejasvi and Tejashwi. Ranaut, known for her outspoken nature, made the error during an election rally where she remarked, “There’s a party of spoilt princes… whether it’s Rahul Gandhi who wants to grow potatoes on the Moon, or Tejasvi Surya who does hooliganism and eats fish.”
However, the original target of her criticism was RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, whose video showing him eating fish had sparked controversy between the BJP and the opposition. Tejasvi Surya, mistakenly referred to by Ranaut, is actually a BJP candidate from the Bengaluru South constituency in Karnataka.
Responding to Ranaut’s statement, Tejashwi Yadav humorously queried, “Ye mohtarma kaun hai?” (Who is this lady?), indicating his bemusement at being involved in the mix-up.
Kangana Ranaut has been actively involved in political discourse, particularly targeting the Congress party since being fielded as the BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. She has singled out Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Rahul Gandhi, criticizing them for dynasty politics and focusing on impractical matters rather than development.
In response, the Congress has hit back, urging Ranaut to verify her facts regarding party leaders and to address the issue of dynastic politics within her own party. Amrit Kaur, the National Media Coordinator for the Congress, also questioned Ranaut’s qualifications for receiving a BJP ticket from Mandi.
These developments come amidst the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the Mandi constituency scheduled to go to polls on June 1 in the seventh phase of voting.