BJP minister's 'expensive sugar' remark sparks row with Congress over prices

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has triggered a political controversy after stating that sugar "should get very expensive" and advocating reduced consumption, comments made during a media interaction in Indore on Wednesday.

The senior BJP leader, speaking amid a recent surge in sugar prices ahead of the festive season, told reporters that most people now avoid sweets and added, "I don't eat sweets at all. So, it's good. I would say that it should become very expensive". He suggested sugar should be sold cheaply only at government fair-price shops for children, while the elderly "should not be given sugar at all," citing medical advice against consumption after 40 years of age.

Vijayvargiya also claimed prices were falling, saying sugar cost ₹70 per kilogram "yesterday" and ₹60 "today," and would decline further.

Congress calls remarks an insult

The remarks drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari calling them "an insult" to the poor and middle class. Patwari reminded that BJP leaders had previously promised sugar at ₹13 per kilogram, contrasting those pledges with the current advice to consume less.

"Those who came into power with slogans [to reduce inflation] are now advising people to consume less sugar. They are insulting and laughing at people after torturing them," Patwari said, warning that "the public will respond to their laughter in the coming elections".

Opposition leaders have blamed the Centre's ethanol policy for the price surge, alleging that sugarcane is being diverted for ethanol production, which is then blended into petrol.

Government cites multiple factors

The Union Government has said it is monitoring the situation closely, attributing the price rise to lower-than-expected domestic production, increased demand ahead of the festive season, weather-related damage to the sugarcane crop, tightening global sugar supplies, and speculation and hoarding by some sections of the industry.

The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time, with sugar prices climbing just as festive demand peaks, putting pressure on household budgets across income groups.

Source: The Hindu