NEW DELHI: As Delhi grapples with deteriorating air quality and water pollution, political tensions between the AAP and the BJP have intensified. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Thursday staged a protest against the AAP-led government by taking dips in the polluted Yamuna River at ITO Ghat.
Sachdeva blamed Arvind Kejriwal and chief minister Atishi 's government for failing to address water pollution in the city.
"We have arranged red carpet as people who used to live in Sheesh Mahal, they get habituated of the red carpet as they are 'Shahi' people. We have arranged two chairs as this tradition was started by Atishi herself, so if she comes, she will need two chairs. If Arvind Kejriwal will come, we will be happy. Although he is on bail, he was the CM. They should give an account of Rs 8,500 crores that was given by the central govt to clean Yamuna. We will wait for some more time if they come," Delhi BJP chief said.
Toxic chemical froth blankets the Yamuna River, raising health concerns ahead of the Chhath Puja festival, while the capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) worsens with the onset of winter.
The AAP government accuses the BJP of playing "dirty politics" and blames BJP-ruled states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for contributing to Delhi's pollution. "The BJP is responsible for the growing air and water pollution in Delhi," said CM Atishi, attributing it to industrial activities and stubble burning in neighboring states.
The BJP has accused AAP of failing to manage the pollution crisis, demanding the resignation of Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai . "Gopal Rai is more concerned with protecting Punjab than the people of Delhi. He should either demand accountability from Punjab or resign," Sachdeva said.
He also cited data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), claiming Punjab had recorded more stubble-burning incidents compared to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
AAP disputed these claims, accusing BJP of misrepresenting facts. "It's disgraceful that the BJP misrepresents the facts. The central government’s data shows that while Punjab has made significant progress in reducing stubble burning, pollution in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh has increased," AAP said in a statement.
Sachdeva blamed Arvind Kejriwal and chief minister Atishi 's government for failing to address water pollution in the city.
VIDEO | Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva (@Virend_Sachdeva) takes a dip in Yamuna River at ITO Ghat during party's protest against the AAP government over the issue of pollution. #DelhiNews #DelhiPollution #YamunaRiver
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 24, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/YTqRXVBAEg
"We have arranged red carpet as people who used to live in Sheesh Mahal, they get habituated of the red carpet as they are 'Shahi' people. We have arranged two chairs as this tradition was started by Atishi herself, so if she comes, she will need two chairs. If Arvind Kejriwal will come, we will be happy. Although he is on bail, he was the CM. They should give an account of Rs 8,500 crores that was given by the central govt to clean Yamuna. We will wait for some more time if they come," Delhi BJP chief said.
Toxic chemical froth blankets the Yamuna River, raising health concerns ahead of the Chhath Puja festival, while the capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) worsens with the onset of winter.
The AAP government accuses the BJP of playing "dirty politics" and blames BJP-ruled states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for contributing to Delhi's pollution. "The BJP is responsible for the growing air and water pollution in Delhi," said CM Atishi, attributing it to industrial activities and stubble burning in neighboring states.
#WATCH | Toxic foam was seen floating on the surface of the Yamuna River in Delhi's Kalindi Kunj area today
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2024
Visuals shot at around 6:30 AM, today pic.twitter.com/9bNiBLXrtr
The BJP has accused AAP of failing to manage the pollution crisis, demanding the resignation of Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai . "Gopal Rai is more concerned with protecting Punjab than the people of Delhi. He should either demand accountability from Punjab or resign," Sachdeva said.
He also cited data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), claiming Punjab had recorded more stubble-burning incidents compared to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
AAP disputed these claims, accusing BJP of misrepresenting facts. "It's disgraceful that the BJP misrepresents the facts. The central government’s data shows that while Punjab has made significant progress in reducing stubble burning, pollution in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh has increased," AAP said in a statement.
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