Swaraj Abhiyan claims 399 liquor shops opened without public consent, calls AAP 'Raavan'

Aam Aadmi Party's breakaway group, Swaraj Abhiyan, has found 'mushrooming' liquor vends across Delhi as chinks in armour and plans to hold mass agitation against AAP-led Delhi government after September 11. Holding its third jan sabha in less than 15 days in Nawada area, where residents objected to a liquor store just below the metro station, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav announced its next meeting at Model Town on September 4.

DEADLINE GIVEN TO AAP

Over hundred people gathered below the metro station seeking removal of liquor shop, which is incidentally at a stone-throw-away distance from municipal school of the area. According to senior members of the organisation, huge momentum will be created before September 11, which is the deadline given by Swaraj Abhiyan to Delhi Government for removal of shops at Kotla Mubarakpur, Karawal Nagar and Nawada.

AAP IS RAAVAN OF RAMAYANA

To take on AAP in upcoming civic polls in Delhi due next year, rebel group also plans to float a political party on October 2. Comparing AAP government with "Raavan" of Ramayana and "Kauravas" of Mahabarata, Yadav said, "Even mighty Raavan and Kauravas fell as in their ego they failed to respect women. Similarly, AAP after mammoth victory in assembly election has forgotten its promise of women safety and has opened liquor vends ignoring women safety and minting money."

Swaraj Abhiyan has released a list of 11 liquor shops against which residents have been protesting. Accusing AAP of having gone back on its election promise of consulting residents before opening liquor shops, it has demanded how soon the government will act against these. Yadav claims that soon this will become a big public movement.

WILL CONTINUE TO EXPOSE AAP: YADAV

Showing data to public, Swaraj Abhiyan, leaders claimed that AAP government initially tried to hide data of new liquor licenses but they have found that 399 new shops were opened in last 18 months since AAP came to power. This has also resulted in generating extra revenue of Rs 600 crore, but alleged that AAP has only spent Rs 2 lakh to discourage alcoholism and also failed to open single de-addiction centers.

Going to grass root, Yogendra Yadav, who himself is addressing all the public meetings claims that they will continue to expose lies of AAP and is appealing public to spread the message of Swaraj Abhiyan. "When Arvind Kejriwal was asking for vote he said no liquor shops will be opened without public's consent but 399 shops were opened and no permission was sought. I challenge if there is even one shop less than 300 then I will quit my social life and if this is correct then government must apologise and close liquor shops," Yadav said.

Locals blamed that AAP MLA from the area Naresh Balyan sat on protest before he became legislator to close the liquor vend but no action was taken after he came to power. "This liquor shop which is right below the metro station is topic of discussion for long as it has given rise to public drinking, harassment and other criminal activity. Women of area are scared to use this stretch," blamed a local Prakash Kumar.

Delhi government recently had announced to not to open any new liquor shop in next one year claiming that action will be taken against existing shops and will be closed or shifted if public wants. Swaraj Abhiyan claims that Delhi government has taken the decision to authorise the mohalla sabhas to decide about liquor vends in the locality under pressure from it. Yadav has also questioned the law under which mohalla sabhas can be given authority, especially when the government has not yet passed the Swaraj Bill.

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