The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched an ‘Aarop Patra’ targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal and his government in the national capital, amid rising concerns over pollution levels in Delhi. BJP leaders, including MP Anurag Thakur and Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva, were present for the announcement.
During the event, Anurag Thakur criticized the AAP government for its failure to deliver on key promises, stating, “These are the people who brought Anna Hazare forward, led movements against Congress’s corruption, and then went on to establish new standards of corruption.” He highlighted the plight of over 200,000 students who remain without access to education, despite promises of world-class schools. Thakur also pointed out that many families are forced to purchase water from tankers, contradicting the AAP’s commitment to provide clean and free water.
Thakur further condemned the AAP government for the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, which has seen the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceed 500. “The AQI level once crossed 1200 and is still above 500. They promised to make Delhi corruption-free, but eight ministers, one MP, and 15 MLAs from their party have already been to jail,” he said.
Addressing the issue of pollution in the Yamuna River, Thakur lamented that the festival of Chhath Puja, traditionally celebrated by people from Purvanchal, has been affected due to the river’s contamination. “Ten years have passed; has the Yamuna been cleaned? Delhi’s AQI went above 500, the Yamuna is heavily polluted, thank you, Kejriwal government,” he stated.
Thakur urged Kejriwal to take responsibility for the pollution crisis, saying, “I appeal to Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna because if it is not cleaned by 2025, we will hold him accountable.” He also alleged multiple scams under the Kejriwal administration, including those related to the water board, classroom construction, and Mohalla Clinics.
“This is the only government where the health minister, deputy CM, and CM were all in jail. This was not a government for the people but a government for the jail,” Thakur concluded.
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP secured 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP won only eight. The next Delhi Assembly elections are anticipated to take place in early 2025.
