The Comptroller and Auditor General/CAG report has reportedly identified a staggering ₹2,026 crore loss linked to the Delhi government’s excise policy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of deliberately withholding the report from the Delhi Assembly to conceal alleged irregularities.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, BJP leader Anurag Thakur outlined the alleged findings, calling out former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the “kingpin of the scam.” According to Thakur, the report highlights 10 critical lapses in the now-scrapped excise policy. He demanded that Kejriwal explain where the missing funds went, stating, “He will have to say who pocketed the money.”
BJP President J.P. Nadda echoed these claims, asserting that the CAG report exposes deliberate lapses that inflicted significant financial damage on the public exchequer. Nadda took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the AAP government, saying, “Intoxicated by power, high on misgovernance. ‘AAP’DA model of loot in full display, and that too on something as sensitive as liquor.”
Nadda alleged that the excise policy was manipulated for corrupt gains, leading to a loss of public funds. “The CAG report on ‘Liquorgate’ lays bare the corrupt practices of Arvind Kejriwal and his party,” Nadda posted, expressing confidence that AAP would soon face electoral consequences for its alleged misdeeds.
Both Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia were previously arrested by the Enforcement Directorate over charges of corruption in connection with the controversial excise policy. They were released on bail after spending months in custody.
AAP leaders dismissed the BJP’s accusations, questioning the very existence of the report. Sanjay Singh, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP, challenged the BJP to present the document, stating, “Where is the report? The BJP itself keeps saying no CAG report has been tabled.”
During the press conference, Thakur raised questions about AAP’s future leadership, stating that the party no longer has an “honest face” to represent it. He claimed that legal restrictions related to the excise policy case make it impossible for Kejriwal to return as Chief Minister.
“The AAP’s journey over the past decade has been defined by scams and broken promises,” Thakur said, criticizing the party for failing to deliver on key issues such as education, sanitation, and governance. Instead, he alleged, the party’s tenure has been marked by corruption scandals, including the excise policy and the construction of a “sheesh mahal” (luxurious accommodations).
Thakur also pointed out that several AAP leaders, including eight ministers and 15 MLAs, have faced jail time. He accused Kejriwal of hypocrisy, recalling how he had demanded the arrest of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over corruption allegations 11 years ago but now evades accountability for his party’s actions.
The CAG report, as cited by the BJP, reportedly details several lapses in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s excise policy. Thakur claimed that the AAP government ignored expert opinions, allowed questionable bidding processes, failed to penalize policy violations, and lacked transparency throughout the policy’s rollout.
According to the BJP, these lapses were not accidental but intentional, designed to benefit select individuals and entities. The alleged irregularities prompted the eventual scrapping of the policy amid widespread criticism.
Thakur highlighted the irony of AAP’s trajectory, noting that the party rose to power on the back of anti-corruption rhetoric and support from constitutional institutions. He accused the party of now discrediting the same institutions when faced with allegations of wrongdoing.
“The same party that demanded accountability from others is now evading questions about its own corruption,” Thakur said.
While the BJP has cited the purported findings of the CAG report, it is worth noting that the document has not been officially released. Reports on its contents have appeared in some media outlets, but the full details remain unclear. This has fuelled a war of words between the two parties, with AAP demanding proof of the BJP’s claims and the BJP accusing AAP of suppressing the report.
As Delhi’s political landscape heats up, the controversy surrounding the excise policy and the alleged ₹2,026 crore loss is likely to play a significant role in shaping public opinion. Both parties remain locked in a fierce battle over accountability, governance, and the future direction of the capital’s leadership.
