Kejriwal Announces 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana' Amid Political Heat

Arvind Kejriwal, AAP national convenor, launched the 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana' offering an Rs 18,000 monthly honorarium for temple priests and Gurudwara granthis. The initiative faces criticism from Delhi BJP's Virendra Sachdeva, who accuses Kejriwal of making electoral populist promises to regain political ground ahead of upcoming elections.

In a strategic move, Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), inaugurated the registration for the 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana' on Tuesday. The ceremony took place at Shri Marghat Wale Baba Mandir in Kashmere Gate with his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, marking a significant political event.

Kejriwal announced the scheme would provide a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 to temple priests and Gurudwara granthis, asserting that this initiative is unprecedented in the country. He emphasized the critical role these religious figures play in maintaining cultural and religious traditions.

The Delhi BJP, led by President Virendra Sachdeva, criticized the scheme, accusing Kejriwal of announcing populist policies as a defensive strategy. The BJP claims Kejriwal is responding to mounting pressure and an imminent electoral defeat, leveraging religious sentiments for political gain.

(With inputs from agencies.)