A Madhya Pradesh minister has been accused by the BJP of offering gym equipment worth Rs 25 lakh to people in return for ensuring a Congress win from the Indore Lok Sabha seat.
A video of the incident has gone viral and the BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission.
In the video, Madhya Pradesh Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Jitu Patwari is seen telling people at a meeting that he would provide gym equipment worth Rs 25 lakh if they ensure victory of Congress candidate Pankaj Sanghvi.
Sanghvi, who is pitted against the BJP's Shankar Lalwani, was also present in this meeting, according to BJP functionaries.
State BJP spokesperson Umesh Sharma said, "In an election meeting, Patwari is telling people in Malvi dialect to gather people going to akharas for exercise. In clear words, he is luring voters by saying that in exchange for Sanghvi's victory, he would provide gym equipment worth Rs 25 lakh."
"The video shows that Congress candidate Sanghvi was present (in the meeting) when Patwari made this offer. The Election Commission should register a case against Patwari and Sanghvi for violation of model code of conduct," Sharma said, adding that the BJP has registered a complaint with the EC.
About 23.5 lakh voters in Indore will decide the fate of 20 candidates in the polling scheduled on May 19.
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