New Delhi [India], December 31 (HBTV): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal responded to criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the announcement of the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, which is set to launch today ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections in 2025.

Under this scheme, priests of temples and 'granthis' of Gurudwaras in Delhi will receive an honorarium of INR 18,000 per month.

Taking to X, Kejriwal addressed the BJP's criticisms, questioning whether such actions would benefit the nation. He pointed out that the BJP has been in power in 20 states and has controlled Gujarat for three decades but has not implemented a similar initiative to honor priests and granthis in those regions.

'BJP people have been abusing me since yesterday, ever since the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana was announced. My question to them is, will the country benefit from abusing me? You have governments in 20 states. You have been in power in Gujarat for 30 years. Why haven't you respected the priests and granthis there till now? Come on, do it now. I have shown the way to everyone. Instead of abusing me, why don't you implement it in your 20 states, then everyone will benefit? Why do you abuse me?' Kejriwal posted on X.

Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, is set to officially launch the scheme today from the Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi will inaugurate the scheme from the Gurudwara in Karol Bagh.

'Today, along with my wife, I will launch the Priest Granthi Samman Yojana from the Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place. Atishi ji will launch this scheme from the Gurudwara located in Karol Bagh,' Kejriwal stated on X.

On Monday, Kejriwal had announced the scheme, asserting that it would be implemented once the AAP forms the government following the upcoming polls in Delhi.

In response, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticized the initiative, calling Kejriwal a 'defeated and desperate leader' who is making 'populist announcements to stay in power.'

'Arvind Kejriwal is now a defeated and desperate leader who is making daily populist announcements to stay in power. They (Delhi government) have to reply in court, why they didn't pay for priests and granthis like maulvis—to get rid of that, they have announced this scheme. When you (AAP) see that you are losing ground, 'tumhe Ram naam yaad aa raha hai',' Sachdeva said during a press conference in Delhi.

Sachdeva also alleged that the scheme was announced due to the ongoing pressure from the Delhi BJP and its Pujari Prakosht, which has been campaigning on the issue for over two years.

(ANI)