Delhi: BJP, Congress oppose excise policy, hold protests outside new stores

NEW DELHI: Even as restaurateurs and the industry have been rejoicing due to the new excise policy coming into effect, BJP and Congress have opposed the move and started protests outside the new liquor stores. Both parties have accused chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of prioritising alcohol sales over governance or fighting pollution.
Adesh Gupta, Delhi BJP president, held a protest rally at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday and asserted that his party would oppose the new policy tooth and nail and not let even a single new liquor store open.
“The AAP government has argued that the new excise policy will increase the revenue of the government, but there are several other ways to do it rather than promoting liquor consumption. Instead of ensuring that youths get employment, the CM is pushing them towards alcoholism,” claimed Gupta.
Gupta, the councillor from West Patel Nagar, said the new policy had proposed three liquor stores in each ward. “These stores will be opened in residential colonies and neighbourhood markets and cause law and order problems. BJP will lead a jan andolan and oppose opening of every new liquor store,” he added.
Leader of Opposition in Delhi assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that AAP came to power promising to open new schools, colleges, hospitals, flyovers and water treatment plants, but was instead opening new liquor stores. “The new excise policy will make the atmosphere bad for women and girls and they will not feel safe,” he alleged.
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Anil Kumar Chaudhary and his party workers protested near Chawri Bazar Metro Station. “Delhi has a high unemployment rate. In such a situation, the AAP government has implemented the new excise policy to allow free flow of liquor that will ruin the life of youths. We will continue to protest against it,” he alleged.