Congress leader sparks row: 'Those with 2 wives will get Rs 2 lakh'

Congress leader Kantilal Bhuria on Thursday sparked a controversy when he said that men with two wives would get financial aid of Rs 2 lakh. He also said that the party, if voted to power, would provide Rs 1 lakh annually to women under the party's Mahalaxmi scheme.

"After the Congress government comes to power, Rs 1 lakh will be credited in the account of every woman, which is promised in our manifesto. Those who have two wives will be getting Rs 2 lakh," Bhuria, the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Ratlam, said at a rally in Sailana before he and the audience burst into laughter.

He made these remarks in the presence of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh and the party's state unit chief Jitu Patwari.

As per the Congress's manifesto, women will get Rs 8,500 per month under the Mahalaxmi scheme till they move out of the below poverty line (BPL) segment.

During the rally, Patwari backed Bhuria for his remarks and called it a "terrific announcement". "Bhuria ji has made a terrific announcement just now that a person with two wives will get double (of the Rs 1 lakh financial aid)," he said.

Bhuria was a Union minister for tribal affairs in the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

His remarks drew a sharp response from the ruling BJP, which sought action from the Election Commission against the 73-year-old leader.

Slamming Bhuria for his remarks, BJP MP Maya Naroliya alleged that Congress leaders were giving statements that insulted women. She said that the women voters would give a befitting reply to the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections.

Madhya Pradesh BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja uploaded the clip of Bhuria's statement on X and tagged the Election Commission seeking action.

In his address, Bhuria accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of disrespecting tribals and of keeping quiet when a tribal was urinated upon in Sidhi.

Bhuria is pitted against Anita Chauhan, the wife of Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Nagar Singh Chauhan, in Ratlam.

Lok Sabha polls will be held in Ratlam during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on May 13. Results are expected to be declared on June 4.

(with inputs from Vijay Meena and agencies)