In a scathing attack on the Kejriwal Government’s excise policy, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said that while education may feature prominently in the AAP’s lexicon but it is “liquor” which finds reflection in their work. The Union Minister said that liquor scam has exposed the real face of the AAP leaders.
Questioning the “silence” of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia to the queries raised by him over the liquor scam, Thakur said the AAP Government in Delhi did not make “pathshala” (schools) but opened many “madhushala” (liquor vends).
“The liquor scam has unmasked the AAP and showed how it is neck-deep in corruption. Why are its leaders not answering the questions raised by us over its excise policy?” Thakur said.
The AAP Government should answer as to why `144 crore was returned to liquor dealers besides `30 crore earnest money, he asked.
“If the excise policy was correct, then why was it withdrawn? The truth is serious corruption has occurred. Their Health Minister is in jail on corruption charges and the ‘liquor minister’ is under probe. What kind of impact such a ‘Minister’ will have on education,” Thakur said.
Sisodia is in charge of excise as well as education ministries. If a Minister is busy expanding liquor stores, then can he be expected to focus on education, Thakur said.
“Education is in their words while it is liquor which drives their work,” said Thakur.