AIADMK’s CV Shanmugam Sparks Outrage With ‘Free Wife’ Remark; DMK Slams Comment As Misogynistic

Former AIADMK minister and Rajya Sabha MP CV Shanmugam has triggered a political storm after making a controversial remark comparing women to election freebies, the India Today reported.

Speaking at an AIADMK booth committee training meeting, Shanmugam said, “Many announcements will come for the elections. They will provide mixers, grinders, goats, cows for free, and why, they might even give a wife for free to each person.”

He further added that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, being Karunanidhi’s son, was capable of making such promises, a statement that drew sharp criticism from the ruling DMK and women’s rights advocates.

In a post on DMK’s official X handle, Minister Thirumigu Geetha Jeevan condemned the remark, saying it “demeaned women” and revealed “the perversity and malice of AIADMK towards women.”

She highlighted that the DMK government has launched several initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment, including the Vidiyal Payanam, Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme, Pudhumai Penn Scheme, Thozhi Hostels for working women, and programs to expand credit access for women’s self-help groups and entrepreneurs.

Geetha Jeevan also questioned Shanmugam’s decency, asking whether he “would have made such remarks when Jayalalithaa was alive,” and criticised AIADMK chief Edappadi Palanisamy for not reprimanding him.

She cited earlier instances where AIADMK and its allies had mocked women-focused schemes, Palanisamy calling Vidiyal Payanam buses “lipstick-coated buses,” actor Khushbu describing the Women’s Rights Scheme as “begging,” and PMK’s Sowmya Anbumani ridiculing the Rs 1,000 assistance to women.

The DMK, in its statement, said that under Stalin’s leadership, Tamil Nadu has advanced women’s education, economic independence, and employment opportunities. It added that “such progress is not to AIADMK’s liking,” prompting Shanmugam’s “derogatory and shameful” remarks.

Shanmugam was recently pulled up by the Supreme Court for undermining the Election Commission of India. On 18 August 2025, the Court imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on him for prematurely accusing the Commission of inaction over the “Ungaludan Stalin” welfare scheme case.

The Bench observed that Shanmugam’s conduct “cast unnecessary doubt” on the ECI and misused the judicial process.

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