'Madhya Pradesh women lead nation in liquor consumption': Congress's Jitu Patwari claims; blames BJP policies

NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitendra (Jeetu) Patwari has triggered a political storm with his controversial claim that women in Madhya Pradesh consume more alcohol than anywhere else in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Bhopal on Monday, Patwari alleged that the BJP government's policies had turned the state, once projected as the land of prosperity, into a state drowned in intoxication."Our sisters and daughters have started consuming intoxicants. The BJP sought votes in the name of schemes like Ladli Behna, but never took serious steps to protect women from substance abuse. Today, Madhya Pradesh women lead nation in liquor consumption" Jeetu Patwari said.Patwari alleged rampant liquor and drug abuse in the state. "Madhya Pradesh tops the country in liquor consumption," he asserted, adding that the state has even surpassed Punjab in drug-related cases.

He accused the ruling party of failing to curb the booming liquor and narcotics trade, claiming that the situation had spiraled to the point where women and young girls were falling prey to addiction.Patwari blamed chief minister Mohan Yadav and former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the situation, accusing the state government of failing to address the growing problem of alcohol and drug abuse.

Patwari's remarks have ignited another round of bitter political sparring in the state. While Congress insists the government has failed to tackle the menace of drugs and alcohol, the BJP accuses the opposition of peddling lies and dragging women into political mudslinging.