Swaraj Abhiyan accuses CM Kejriwal of nodding 399 liquor outlets in Delhi

Swaraj Abhiyan on Friday accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of giving sanction to opening of 399 liquor outlets in the national capital after he failed to respond to its letter seeking clarification on the issue.

Swaraj Abhiyan, floated by expelled AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, will organise a public hearing in Burari on September 4 against a liquor vend which, it claimed, was opened against the wishes of people. "Swaraj Abhiyan has been carrying out Jan Sunwai (public hearing) in different parts of Delhi to support the residents in raising their voices against the hypocritical act of the government which in no way is in line with their promise of 'Nasha Mukt Delhi' (addiction-free Delhi) or the promise of making the national capital safe for women," it said in a statement.

It also threatened to launch a people's movement -- "Sharab Nahi, Swaraj Chahiye" (We want Swaraj, not alcohol) -- if no action is taken by September 11 by the authorities responsible for it.

"72 hours have elapsed without any answer from the Delhi Chief Minister, which firmly establishes the fact that 399 new liquor licences have been granted by this government. "It is a sad state of affairs that the people of Delhi have been grossly misled by the Chief Minister and AAP government.

By maintaining silence over this issue, Arvind Kejriwal has sanctioned his inconspicuous involvement in the entire series of events," Swaraj Abhiyan said.

Last week, Yadav had claimed that the Kejriwal government had issued licence to 399 liquor vends/outlets after assuming office. In his letter to Kejriwal on August 30, Yadav had "challenged" him to prove that the figure of 399 was incorrect.

Yadav, who will lead the public hearing in Burari, also offered to withdraw from public life if his claim that the Delhi government issued 399 liquor licences was found to be untrue.