Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor on Friday recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into Delhi’s AAP government’s new excise policy. However, the announcement started a new battle between the BJP and AAP.
The AAP government alleged that Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena is acting under the direction of the Centre, which is trying hard to stem the party’s rising popularity among the masses.
In his statement, Kejriwal said, “These are attempts to stop good work being done in the capital.”
Delhi LG’s office claimed numerous violations of established law “in addition to deliberate and gross procedural lapses to provide post tender undue benefits to liquor licensees”. The Lieutenant Governor said the report places “substantial” financial favours at the top political level. The new excise policy was implemented “with the sole aim” of profiting private liquor barons for monetary benefits to favourite people of the government leading up to Manish Sisodia.
“Minister In-charge of the Excise Department, Manish Sisodia took and got executed, major decisions/actions in violation of the statutory provisions and the notified Excise Policy that had huge financial implications,” Mr. Saxena’s announcement said.
However, BJP leaders have applauded the LG’s suggestion, in a conversation with media by the party, Union Minister and BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi bombed Mr Kejriwal, calling enacted the liquor policy illegal and “fraud on the people of the national capital.”
