A Delhi BJP delegation visited the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Kapurthala House in Delhi to submit a memorandum, demanding a halt to stubble burning in the neighboring state of the national Capital amid increasing levels of air quality index (aqi) in the city.However, the senior BJP leaders stated that since Mann refused to meet the delegation, the party submitted the memorandum to the Punjab Resident Commissioner’s office instead. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, “Incidents of stubble burning and the area affected are increasing in Punjab, contributing significantly to pollution across North India, including Delhi. Despite repeated requests, the Delhi government’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai did not engage with Punjab on this issue.”

He added that when they heard that Mann was in Delhi, our leaders sought a meeting with him to raise this matter, but regrettably, he refused. Attacking the ruling party South Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said, “Until 2021, Arvind Kejriwal blamed Punjab for Delhi’s pollution. Now, after coming to power in Punjab, he defends the state and blames other regions.”

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta called the AAP run Delhi government insensitive and said, “It is unfortunate that the government refuses to discuss serious issues like pollution. Today, even the Punjab CM’s refusal to meet us demonstrates the AAP’s lack of commitment to addressing pollution.”

In the memorandum, the Delhi BJP stated, “We are reaching out not for political reasons, but as concerned citizens of Delhi. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has already reached 400, with no signs of improvement. With winter approaching, the situation could become even worse.”