Kejriwal Promises Monthly Salary for Temple Priests; BJP and Congress Label it as a Hollow Commitment

New Delhi, Dec 30 (NationPress) Staying resolute amid the controversy surrounding the Mahila Samman Yojana, AAP leader and ex-chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a fresh financial support program on Monday, aimed at temple and gurdwara priests who are set to receive Rs 18,000 each month.

This announcement drew sharp criticism from both the BJP and Congress, who branded it as a desperate tactic and a hollow commitment from the ruling AAP in the lead-up to the Assembly elections, which they assert Kejriwal is likely to lose.

Introducing the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’, Kejriwal revealed that the registration for this initiative would commence on Tuesday at the renowned Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place, where the beneficiary priests would be listed.

Kejriwal’s decision to roll out this financial assistance scheme for priests follows a recent setback regarding his Mahila Samman Yojana for women and the Sanjeevani health insurance scheme intended for the elderly.

Authorities from the Delhi government had declared the registration processes for these two schemes, which were initiated by AAP volunteers, as illegal, issuing public warnings against them.

Following Kejriwal’s announcement of the priest support scheme, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticized the AAP leader, asserting that the former CM was resorting to daily populist announcements out of fear of losing the Assembly elections.

Sachdeva claimed that no matter how many promises Kejriwal makes, voters in the city will remain skeptical.

He remarked that after the misleading Mahila Samman Scheme, Kejriwal has now introduced the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana.

He noted that whether it concerns the women of Delhi, priests, or granthis, all are asking Kejriwal: “Is your Punjab government offering such allowances?”

According to the Delhi BJP chief, wherever Kejriwal travels in Delhi, citizens confront him with inquiries regarding failed development, corruption linked to the construction of the “Sheesh Mahal” (CM residence), and the notorious excise policy scandal known for schemes like “one bottle free with a bottle of alcohol.”

They also seek answers concerning the 62 fatalities this year due to water-logging and electrocution during the monsoon season. In this context, a beleaguered Kejriwal seems to be attempting to mislead the populace by acting as a “dream merchant” once more.

Devender Yadav, President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, also criticized Kejriwal’s frantic efforts to regain his lost influence by announcing various handouts aimed at swaying voters.

He stated that Kejriwal’s latest ploy of guaranteeing a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 for temple priests and gurdwara granthis if the Aam Aadmi Party returns to power is yet another example of his hollow promises.

He highlighted that if past actions serve as a guide, Kejriwal has consistently reneged on his commitments, as evidenced by the betrayal faced by autorickshaw drivers after being used as a campaign tool with grand promises, only to be neglected once he secured power in Delhi.

Yadav pointed out that Kejriwal has made pledges to women, the elderly, autorickshaw drivers, temple priests, and gurdwara granthis, despite the fact that Delhi government departments issued public notices clarifying that the Rs 2,100 monthly benefit promised for women and health insurance for the elderly were not official government schemes.