BJP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya distributing money during a function.
A minister in Madhya Pradesh who was caught on camera distributing notes of Rs 100 to girls has said that he was not trying to buy votes ahead of elections in the state, and that he may decide not to run for office.
Madhya Pradesh votes on November 25; Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his party, the BJP, will ask voters for a third consecutive term.
The minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, said he was "performing a ritual" over the weekend at a religious function honouring girls in Mhow in the Western part of the state. He said that traditionally, the ceremony includes giving money to girls as a way of honouring them.
Leaders of the Opposition Congress have asked the Election Commission to censure the minister for violating the code of conduct, which comes into play once the polls are announced, and forbids candidates and parties from attending religious ceremonies or taking any action or making an announcement that could influence voters.