The Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had demonstrated protest and organised a ‘Condemnation March’ on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, under the leadership of state BJP president Virendra Sachdeva along with newly elected MP’s of Delhi and various Morcha workers in all mandals of Delhi BJP.
During the Delhi BJP, chief Virendra Sachdeva said, “The corrupt Kejriwal government of Delhi made Delhiites yearn for every drop of water, turned the Delhi Jal Board into a money-making machine over the decades, and not only looted the water board but also emptied the treasury of Delhi.”
The march was led by Delhi BJP chief at Indira Camp, Andrews Ganj, and was joined by newly elected BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, with ward councillor Sharad Kapoor, along with hundreds of workers and residents of Indira Camp. Except Indira Camp, other prominent locations where BJP held protests are Moti Bagh Chowk in Kishan Ganj, led by BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal; Mandir Road in Rithala, led by MP Yogendra Chandolia; the Rohini protest led by former state president Vijender Gupta; and in the Sarojini Nagar Market, it led by Adesh Gupta.
Sachdeva mentioned that working women are standing in lines for water all night, and children are going without bathing for days, which is the result of the collusion between Kejriwal and his MLAs with tanker mafias. He also stated that Water Minister Atishi Singh, who frequently blames Haryana, is hiding from Delhiites that despite Haryana providing surplus water, proper distribution is not happening in all parts of Delhi because her party stands with those involved in the water trade.
Similarly, Bansuri Swaraj MP from New Delhi Parliamentary constituency said that AAP has deceived the people of Delhi in the name of water, and as a result, common citizens are on the streets with BJP workers. She added that despite AAP trying to escape its responsibilities by giving it a political colour, the fact is that BJP councillors are pressuring the Delhi Jal Board to provide tankers to the public.Leading the protest march in Kishan Ganj Colony, Praveen Khandelwal MP from Chandni Chowk constituency said that water supply in Delhi is currently dependent on tankers. People are forced to drink contaminated and foul-smelling water. Despite water supply being much more than 1000 MGD, people are still dependent on tankers.
More than 54% of water is being wasted in Delhi.
On the other hand, Delhi water minister Atishi Singh said while addressing a press conference that “I tried everything possible—I requested the Chief Minister of Haryana; Himachal also agreed to give water, but Haryana refused. Our MLAs went to meet the Jal Shakti Minister, pleaded before the Supreme Court, and Delhi government officials also went to Haryana. But the Haryana government did not agree. Now I cannot see Delhiites suffering for the water crisis.” She added, “I have also requested the Honourable Prime Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure that Delhiites get water by 21 June. If Delhiites do not get their rightful share of water, I will go on an indefinite hunger strike from 21 June.”
