Arvind Kejriwal's promise of banning liquor and meat to voters in Punjab sounds hypocritical

There is a proverb in Hindi, Sau Chuhe Khaake Billi Haj ko Chali (After eating 100 mice, the cat proceeds on a pilgrimage), which literally means a person who has committed several sins pretends to be innocent, which is more of a sham. This analogy fits aptly with Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal. He said in Amritsar on Friday that if his party was voted to power in Punjab, he would ban liquor and meat around the holy area of the Golden Temple, reported DNA. [caption id=“attachment_2998656” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at the Golden Temple. PTI[/caption] This statement made by Kejriwal after visiting the Golden Temple sounds hypocritical. It’s ironic that Kejriwal-led AAP government that promised to make Delhi addiction-free (Nashamukti) in its 70-point manifesto during Delhi Assembly election, granted 399 liquor licenses in 371 working days – which accounts to issuance of more than one license per day. Even during the formation of AAP, Kejriwal had announced a that prior to opening of any liquor vend in any area, an approval of local residents would be taken. Now, it’s the same Kejriwal, who has come up with a ‘give and take’ offer for the voters of Punjab — you vote us to power, we’ll ban liquor. This has amazed many in Delhi, including ex-AAP leader and founding member of Swaraj Abhiyan Yogendra Yadav, who challenged Kejriwal to tell the truth on liquor license issue and released the list of 399 liquor licensees. “It is the same AAP that has gone against its promise to make Delhi addiction-free (Nashamukti) in its manifesto,” Yadav told Firstpost . Kejriwal is on a four-day visit to Punjab to douse the fire that has been ignited by the rebels within the party over various issues ranging from ticket distribution to allegations of soliciting sexual favours by AAP leaders in lieu of tickets for the 2017 assembly polls. AAP’s position in Punjab became volatile after its state convener Sucha Singh Chottepur was sacked. “This gentleman (Kejriwal) has no idea about the culture of Punjab. There are several burning issues in the state which need to be addressed and still he only talks about banning liquor and meat. Basically, it shows paucity of ideas among the party leaders. There has been a rapid decline in AAP’s popularity in Punjab, especially because of the way the party leaders dealt with their counterparts,” said Bhai Baldeep Singh, an exponent of the oldest Gurbani Kirtan form of singing. “Moreover, does Amritsar need a certificate from Kejriwal to be a Holy city? Guru Ramdas built it and since its inception, Amritsar has been a holy city,” quipped Singh, who had also contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Khadoor Sahib Constituency. Swaraj Abhiyan that has consistently been on a campaign against the granting of 399 liquor licenses through public hearings, has termed Kejriwal’s ‘promise to the people of Amritsar’ – a big joke. “This just sounds like a big joke by Kejriwal. AAP had promised in its Swaraj Bill that prior to opening of liquor vends, approval will be taken from local residents. However, the promise was not adhered to while distributing the 399 licenses. Even Kejriwal mentioned this clause in his book Swaraj. The party that failed to keep its promises made to the Delhi voters is now trying to fool the people of Punjab. It’s absolutely ridiculous,” remarked Swaraj Abhiyan’s national executive member Anupam.