Congress Leader’s ‘Women in MP Drink More’ Comment Sparks Political Firestorm, BJP Demands Apology

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari has sparked a political storm with remarks linking women in the state to high alcohol consumption, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP and demands for his removal.

“Women in Madhya Pradesh consume more alcohol than anywhere else in the country. The BJP, which dreams of making the state prosperous, is responsible for this situation,” Patwari told reporters on Monday, also alleging a surge in drug use among women.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called the comments “insulting” and demanded Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge apologise and sack Patwari. “Congress has insulted Laadli behnas of the state by associating them with alcohol. The people will give them a fitting reply,” Yadav said, invoking the state’s flagship welfare scheme for women.

BJP leaders including Kangana Ranaut, state party chief Hemant Khandelwal, MLA Rameshwar Sharma, and Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria also condemned Patwari’s remarks, calling them reflective of Congress’s “anti-women mindset.”

Patwari, however, framed his comments as criticism of the BJP’s failure to curb addiction in the state, saying drug and alcohol use among women had risen under its rule.