Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya apologises for remarks on woman councillor

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya expressed regret on Tuesday over his recent controversial remarks about the body of a woman party councillor from Indore. During an event in Indore on Sunday, Mr. Vijayvargiya praised the councillor for development work in her ward but made a joke about her physical appearance. While speaking to another leader on stage, the BJP leader laughed and said that the councillor's width had increased a little. The comment drew sharp criticism from the Congress party, which slammed both Mr. Vijayvargiya and the ruling BJP on Monday. The opposition party accused the BJP of hypocrisy regarding women's safety, pointing out past controversial statements made by Mr. Vijayvargiya about women and their clothing, including a 2023 remark comparing poorly dressed girls to the mythological character Shurpanakha. Following the backlash, Mr. Vijayvargiya released a video statement defending his intent. He stated that the councillor was like his daughter and that a lot of development work had been done by her in his assembly constituency. He alleged that his words were presented in the wrong manner by Congress members and reported incorrectly by the media, adding that both he and the councillor were upset by the controversy. Mr. Vijayvargiya has a history of making controversial statements that spark political stir in the state. In December 2025, he used objectionable words during a heated exchange with a reporter over a water contamination tragedy in Indore's Bhagirathpura, for which he also later expressed regret. In February 2026, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had to step in during the State Assembly's Budget Session after a heated argument between Mr. Vijayvargiya and Congress Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar.