Kangana Ranaut, BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has sparked debate after calling politics a “very expensive hobby.” In a chat with Times Now on July 11, she said MPs are left with only ₹50,000–60,000 after paying for drivers, cooks, and travel. “If you are an honest person, you can’t treat it like a profession. You need a job,” she said, stressing she came from a successful acting career.
She explained that even though an MP’s basic salary is ₹1.24 lakh, frequent travel across large constituencies and hosting events makes it hard to manage. “You need three to four cars driving 300–400 km daily,” she said. She added that many MPs run parallel businesses or practice law. Media reports confirm that MPs receive additional allowances, but critics point out these are often insufficient or poorly used.
The remark triggered strong reactions. Congress MP Pratibha Singh accused Kangana of not using her ₹5 crore MPLAD fund during floods in Mandi. Online, many mocked her tone. One Reddit user wrote, “What did she think would happen after becoming an MP?” Another said, “They recoup their investment by earning illegal funds.” So what do you think – should MPs earn more, or is public office not a place for ‘hobbies’?
