Kejriwal Slams BJP Ahead Of Priest Welfare Scheme Launch: 'Why No Respect From You Till Now...'

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal announced a welfare scheme for Hindu priests and Sikh granthis in Delhi, promising a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000.

Arvind Kejriwal hit back at BJP over its criticism of the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana.

Source : PTI

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday over the welfare scheme announced for priests of temples and gurdwaras in the national capital. 

On Monday, Kejriwal announced that his party, if re-elected, would launch 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana'promising a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000 for Hindu temple priests and granthis of gurdwaras.

The BJP attacked the AAP saying the scheme was announced after Delhi BJP and its priest cell led a movement for more than two years. "Kejriwal knew that due to a petition filed in Delhi High Court, he will have to stop the salary allowance of the Maulvis, so Kejriwal has announced this Pujari Granthi Scheme to mislead the court," the party alleged.

Bengal BJP also criticised the move as "tokenism," asserting that such measures aimed at securing votes along religious lines. 

Kejriwal Hits Back 

On Tuesday, Kejriwal hit back at the BJP asking why it did not introduce such a scheme in the states where it is in power. 

BJP people have been abusing me since yesterday, ever since the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana was announced.

"BJP people have been abusing me since yesterday, ever since the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana was announced. My question to them is - will the country benefit from abusing me," Kejriwal said in a post on X. 

"You have governments in 20 states. You have been in power in Gujarat for 30 years. Why haven't you respected the priests and granthis there till now? Instead of abusing me, why don't you implement it in your 20 states, so then everyone will benefit? Why do you abuse me?" he questioned. 

Kejriwal To Launch Scheme Today 

The AAP chief, along with his wife will visit the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place on Tuesday where he will launch the scheme. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Atishi will head to Gurudwara in Karol Bagh where she will launch the scheme.