Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday dismissed actor Kangana Ranaut’s remarks on the Gandhi siblings as “nonsense,” refusing to engage in what she deemed trivial discourse. Ranaut, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Himachal Pradesh”s Mandi on a BJP ticket, recently criticised Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi as being unfit for politics and dubbing them “nepo babies.”

She alleged that “both siblings are being tortured by their ambitious mother to stay in politics”. She said that the Congress is marred by nepotism, groupism, and dynastic politics.

“The Congress has always been an appalling party for me. The nepotism in the party has been hugely problematic for me because I was a target of the same system in my industry. I had condemned it openly, I fought against it. Something that was exploiting me… Nepotism, groupism, dynastic politics… I despise this party,” Ranaut said.

“They are weird as if they have landed from Mars,” she added.

In response, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra opted for restraint, stating, “We are thankful that she is talking about us,” and questioning the necessity of dignifying every utterance with a response.

She said, “The BJP has been criticising Sonia Gandhi even when my father was alive”.

Kangana Ranaut famously took a stand against nepotism, citing her own experiences in the film industry when she called filmmaker Karan Johar the “flag-bearer of nepotism” during an episode of his popular chat show “Koffee with Karan” in 2016.

Ranaut, is set to star in her directorial debut, “Emergency,” portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the grandmother of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.

“Emergency is one of the most significant and darkest chapters in our history that young India needs to know. It is a crucial story and I am excited to bring this extraordinary episode from India”s history to the big screen,” the “Queen” actor said.

For Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Himachal Pradesh or devbhoomi holds a special place. She is even building a home there. Sources suggest that Priyanka has cautioned party members against making any comments against Ranaut, wary of providing ammunition to the BJP or the actor.

The context for Priyanka”s caution stems from a recent controversy involving a viral post from the official handle of Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, leading to a backlash that compelled the Congress to issue an apology. Despite the party”s defense of Shrinate, the damage had already been done, allowing the BJP to exploit the event by playing the anti-women card against the Congress.