The Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party are engaged in a bitter political battle along the Yamuna river, which is covered with a layer of white toxic foam close to the Okhla barrage. With the sacred Chhath Puja days away, the visual of pollution has escalated into a war of words, allegations, and a high-stakes challenge over the river’s condition.
What is the Core of the Allegation?
AAP’s Delhi chief, Saurabh Bhardwaj, shared visuals of the froth-laden river and launched a direct attack on the newly formed BJP government. He alleged that all tasks by the “BJP’s four-engine government were being completed in photos and videos, and not in reality.” To prove his point, he challenged Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and BJP leader Parvesh Verma to join him in drinking a litre of Yamuna water to demonstrate its claimed cleanliness.
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How Did the BJP Respond to the Challenge?
The BJP retaliated sharply, dismissing the challenge as a gimmick. BJP chief spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor accused the AAP of having “deceived the city for ten years in the name of Yamuna cleaning.” He questioned, “who drinks water from the river in a glass?” and alleged that over ₹6,500 crore was misappropriated by the previous AAP government, turning the Yamuna “from a dirty river into a drain.” He promised that the BJP-led government would clean the Yamuna by the end of 2026.
Why is the Timing of This Clash Significant?
This annual controversy has resurfaced just ahead of Chhath Puja, a festival observed from October 25 to 28. During this time, millions of devotees, particularly from the politically significant Poorvanchali community, wade into the river to offer prayers. The pictures of devotees standing in poisonous foam that went viral have turned into a powerful representation of administrative failure. This sizable vote bank is being courted by both parties, making the state of the river a frequent political hot spot.
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What is the Government’s Current Stance?
Amid the controversy, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conducted an inspection of Vasudev Ghat to review Chhath arrangements. Striking a contrasting tone, she claimed that work was ongoing and asserted, “as you can see, there is no foam.” She stated her government was committed to working for the people, accusing the previous administration of only talking without doing any actual work. This claim, however, stands in stark contrast to the widely circulated visuals from the Okhla barrage.
