The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), blaming it for the pollution crisis affecting both the Yamuna River and Delhi’s air quality. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla, speaking from Kalindi Kunj’s Yamuna ghat, accused AAP’s policies of worsening the river’s contamination, which poses risks to devotees gathering for Chhath Puja.
“Many people have gathered here to offer prayers to the Sun god,” Poonawalla said. “But a thick layer of toxic foam on the Yamuna’s surface poses serious health risks. Despite spending ₹7,000 crore, the condition of the river has deteriorated.” He further noted that even Congress leaders have commented on the worsening state of the Yamuna, pointing out AAP’s alleged negligence.
Poonawalla also criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being absent while citizens face health risks due to the pollution.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari voiced his concerns about Delhi’s air quality, stating, “The pollution in Delhi has reached dangerous levels. AAP has turned Delhi into a gas chamber, and Kejriwal’s leadership style is one where he blames others while holding power.”
Tiwari urged Delhi’s citizens to vote for a BJP-led government in upcoming elections, promising a “double-engine government” that would transform Delhi into a “world-class capital city.”
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘very poor’ category, registering at 383 as of Friday morning. The city has been shrouded in smog for eight days post-Diwali, with an AQI range that poses severe health risks.
Despite warnings, devotees gathered at the Yamuna ghat to observe Chhath Puja rituals. Drone footage revealed thick toxic foam floating on the river, symbolizing the high pollution levels in the Yamuna. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking permission to perform Chhath Puja on the Yamuna’s banks, citing health concerns due to the contamination. The court noted that nearly 1,000 alternative sites were set up for the celebrations.
In response to the pollution crisis, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai chaired a meeting earlier this week, urging North Indian states to collaborate on reducing pollution. Rai accused BJP-led neighboring states of politicizing the issue, emphasizing that a collective effort is essential to address the region’s worsening air quality.
As the pollution debate continues, the BJP and AAP remain divided over the causes and solutions to Delhi’s environmental crisis, with each party blaming the other for the challenges facing the city’s residents.
