Kejriwal's Attempt to Launch Scheme at Hanuman Mandir Thwarted; BJP Labels It as Devotees’ Discontent
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New Delhi, Dec 31 (NationPress) In a surprising turn of events, angry priests successfully thwarted former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s initiative to kick off the registration for the Pujari Granthi Samman Scheme at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place on Tuesday. BJP’s New Delhi MP, Bansuri Swaraj, criticized Kejriwal’s political opportunism as being exposed and rejected.
Swaraj condemned Kejriwal’s self-serving and fundamentally flawed pre-election promise to provide a monthly stipend of Rs 18,000 to priests in temples and gurdwaras, questioning why priests from churches were omitted from this initiative.
She further pointed out that mosque maulvis had not received the promised honorarium for the past 17 months.
In a press briefing shortly after Kejriwal’s foiled attempt to launch the Pujari Granthi scheme’s registration at Hanuman Mandir, Swaraj remarked that Kejriwal’s political tactics had been brought to light.
She refuted claims that BJP members prevented Kejriwal from launching the scheme, asserting that it was the devotees of Hanuman who pushed him out of the temple and halted his deceptive proposal.
After facing backlash, Kejriwal proceeded to launch the initiative from Marghatwale Baba Mandir near Kashmere Gate ISBT, as he shared in a post on social media.
Swaraj labeled the announcement regarding the priest-granthi financial support as a fresh instance of “Arvind’s Appeasement”, questioning why such a proposal was only made at the tail end of the AAP government’s decade-long tenure.
In a poetic rebuke, Swaraj remarked, “Vidyalaya ka kara vada, marudalaya ka jaal bichaya, chunav nikat aya to Kejriwal ko devalaya yaad aaya.” (Kejriwal expanded the network of liquor outlets after pledging to build schools, and now he remembers temples as elections draw near).
Swaraj criticized Kejriwal for making empty promises aimed at appeasing pujaris and granthis.
“Why haven’t you received approval for a Cabinet proposal? Why are your promises so hollow?” she queried, adding that the BJP would oppose this empty commitment and the misleading of the public.
“By announcing aid for pujaris and granthis, Kejriwal is engaging in ‘chunavi chalawa (electoral gimmick)’. The AAP has failed to compensate women in Punjab or Delhi mosque maulvis for 17 months, and I am certain this declaration for pujaris and granthis will likewise be an empty promise,” Swaraj concluded.
