Congress has been trying all possible tricks in their books to woo voters. Now the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam, Kantilal Bhuria, has stoked controversy by promising Rs 2 lakh annually to men who have two wives if the grand old party is voted to power.
Addressing an election rally in Sailana, a five-term member of parliament (MP) and former Union Tribal Affairs minister in the UPA-2 government, Bhuria also claimed that women from each household will get Rs 1 lakh if Congress comes to power.
“If Congress comes to power, as our manifesto states, every woman will get Rs 1 lakh in bank account. (For) The person who has two wives will get Rs 2 lakh…,” the Congress LS candidate said.
Bhuria’s controversial statements got backing from Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari who said: “Bhuria ji has made a terrific announcement just now that a person with two wives will get double.”
What does Congress’ manifesto say?
The Congress’ in its 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto has pledged to introduce the Mahalaxmi Scheme, which aims to provide Rs 1 lakh annually to “one woman from a poor household” to alleviate poverty. However, there is no mention about giving any money to those who have two wives.
Under the Mahalaxmi scheme, women will get Rs 8,500 per month till they move out of the below-poverty line (BPL) segment.
Bhuria accuses PM Modi of ‘disrespecting tribals’
Bhuria, in his address, also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “disrespecting” tribals and of “keeping quiet when a tribal was urinated upon by a BJP leader in Sidhi”.
BJP slams Bhuria
The remarks by the Congress Lok Sabha candidate drew sharp criticism from the BJP which sought action from the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Bhuria.
Sharing a clip of Bhuria’s “two wives” statement on X, Madhya Pradesh BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja wrote, “What an objectionable comment…”
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Bhuria, saying the Congress aimed to offer incentives to individuals whose personal law permits multiple marriages.
“Kantilal Bhuria of Congress discloses the perverted variant of “jitni aabadi utna haq” scheme/guarantee of Congress It’s not about women samman but treating women like an object……Disgusting,” Poonawalla said.
“Congress says, If you practice multiple marriages – you can get Rs 1 lakh per wife .. if you have two wives – Rs 2 lakhs .. so on .. 4 wives then you can calculate…Kantilal Bhuria wants to give a guarantee to those whose personal law encourages multiple marriages and wants to incentivise more population of its vote bank,” the BJP leader further said.
Bhuria is contesting against BJP candidate Anita Chauhan, the wife of Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Nagar Singh Chauhan.
Lok Sabha polls 2024 in Ratlam will be held in the fourth phase on May 13.
With inputs from agencies
Link to article –
WATCH| Rs 2 lakh for men with two wives, Congress leader’s bizarre promise if party comes to power
