AAP to protest across UP over 'free alcohol' offers at liquor stores
text_fields
People queue up at a liquor store in Noida offering a 'Buy One, Get One Free' scheme to clear stock before March 31, Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday announced statewide protests across Uttar Pradesh on March 29 over reports of liquor stores in the state offering "free alcohol."
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of hypocrisy, alleging that while the Delhi government faced allegations and central agency probes over its excise policy, no one was questioning the UP government about liquor stores offering such deals. The UP government has yet to respond to AAP's allegations.
According to reports, liquor stores across multiple cities in Uttar Pradesh are providing heavy discounts and offers to clear their stock before a new excise policy takes effect on April 1. Store owners claim they will incur significant losses if they fail to sell off the old stock before the deadline.
Singh criticized the BJP, stating that while the Delhi government had curbed such practices, it was still subjected to Enforcement Directorate and CBI inquiries. However, in UP, he claimed, the BJP was allowing free alcohol distribution, and no one was raising concerns.
He further accused the state government of ignoring crucial issues such as farmers' concerns, education, and unemployment while diverting attention with liquor stores offering such schemes.
With PTI inputs