The announcement of the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojna’ by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal has sparked criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, with leaders accusing Kejriwal of using the scheme as an election strategy.
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh accused Kejriwal of ignoring the priests and granthis for over a decade. Speaking to ANI, Chugh remarked:
“AAP leader Kejriwal did not remember the priests and granthis for 11 years. He used to send money to clerics only for votes. Now when the public is removing him, he is remembering Sanatanis, Gurudwaras and temples. Where was he for 11 years?”
BJP leader Vijay Goel also criticized the move, alleging it was a ploy to win votes. He stated:
“The announcements by Arvind Kejriwal are electoral announcements… The elections should be based on dirty tap water, Yamuna pollution, Delhi pollution, corruption… Arvind Kejriwal did not take any steps in the past 10 years and is now making new announcements each day… The one who doesn’t work for 10 years only wants to win elections by announcement of freebies.”
Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav echoed similar sentiments, claiming Kejriwal had failed to deliver on past promises.
“Clerics haven’t yet received their salaries. Senior citizens are looking for their pensions, employees have not received their ration cards, tap water is not clean, Yamuna is still polluted. Several schemes can be introduced but Kejriwal ji is fully exposed in front of the people of Delhi,” Yadav said.
On Tuesday, Arvind Kejriwal launched the registration for the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojna, visiting the Shri Marghat Wale Baba Mandir at Kashmere Gate alongside his wife, Sunita Kejriwal.
Under the scheme, temple priests and Gurudwara granthis are set to receive an honorarium of ₹18,000 per month. Kejriwal emphasized that the scheme would be fully implemented if the AAP wins the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.