Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court decision directing Himachal Pradesh to release surplus water to the national capital, terming it a "victory" for the people of the city. Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP claimed that they had urged AAP to to demand excess water from its INDIA alliance partner Congress’ ruled state, stating that they refused to do so.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it to Delhi, which is grappling with a water crisis. A vacation bench of Justices P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan noted that the Himachal Pradesh government has no objection and is willing to release the surplus water.

The bench also directed the Haryana government to facilitate the flow of surplus water released by Himachal Pradesh so that it reaches the national capital. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Atishi said, "I salute the Hon'ble Supreme Court for standing with the people of Delhi during this unprecedented water crisis. This is a time that calls for coordinated effort above all else, and the SC order marks a victory for the people of Delhi and their right to water."

While welcoming the order of the Supreme Court of India, Delhi BJP Virendra Sachdeva said, “BJP had been urging the Delhi Government to demand excess water from Himachal Pradesh but it never did so. Today we have been proven right. All through the last month of the water crisis in Delhi, we saw Delhi Minister Atishi writing melodramatic letters to Chief Ministers of BJP ruled Haryana & Uttar Pradesh knowing very well that they are already giving excess water.”

The BJP blamed the AAP for not asking water from Himachal Pradesh and said, “Despite our request she never wrote to her INDIA alliance partner Congress ruled Himachal Pradesh but today she stands exposed as Supreme Court of India has not asked Haryana or Uttar Pradesh but Himachal Pradesh releases excess water.”

He added that Delhiites will never forgive Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal government for its dirty politics amidst water crisis. The national capital has been grappling with a water crisis with the Delhi government accusing Haryana of not releasing its share of water.