As Delhi grapples with rising air pollution and toxic foam has been visible on the Yamuna River, several BJP leaders reached Yamuna bank on Saturday and launched a blistering attack against the Aam Aadmi Party saying that it is the poisonous politics of Arvind Kejriwal that has made the water and air in the national capital poisonous.The BJP also sought details about how the government spent Rs 1,000 crores collected as pollution cess.
“Atishi’s government in Delhi has been making claims about pollution control preparations for the past month. Environment Minister Gopal Rai has also been promoting efforts to reduce air and water pollution, but the rising AQI levels and the foam in the Yamuna over the past 48 hours have exposed the reality of the Kejriwal –Atishi, BJP said after union minister and East Delhi MP Harsh Malhotra visited Kalindi Kunj on Saturday and revealed the truth behind the thick white layer of foam floating on the Yamuna river.
He remarked that the white foam on the water’s surface is proof that, despite a decade of promises from Arvind Kejriwal and now Atishi, ground reality remains unchanged. Even when crores of rupees have been allocated by the central government for Yamuna’s cleaning, the Kejriwal government has remained stuck in blame games, he said.
BJP spokesperson and environmental expert Dr. Anil Gupta, local councilor Brahm Singh, and several other officials, along with local residents severely affected by the pollution, were present at the event.
Malhotra criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), stating that since 2013, the party has repeatedly raised the issue of Yamuna pollution and promised to take a holy dip in the river with citizens after cleaning it. However, the reality today is that standing by the river bank invites several health risks.
He questioned the government’s accountability for the Rs 1,000 crores collected as pollution cess, intended to tackle pollution and clean the Yamuna. Neither the Kejriwal government nor Atishi’s current administration has provided any details on the use of these funds, Malhotra claimed.
He also criticized the AAP government for opposing serious Yamuna cleanup efforts. Malhotra accused AAP of endangering public health by misleading citizens.
Despite promises, sewage treatment plants (STPs) have not been installed at 18 major drains and 32 smaller drains flowing into the Yamuna. “The funds provided by the central government were used only for advertisements and self-promotion,” Malhotra alleged.
He further added, “The Kejriwal government’s vision of a clean Delhi exists only on hoardings and posters. The reality is evident today as we stand at the banks of the Yamuna in Kalindi Kunj.”
BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala also slammed the Kejriwal government saying, now they will blame Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments. The question that arises is why has Delhi become a gas chamber today.
“ The reason behind poisonous water and air is poisonous politics. AAP indulges in polluted blame game politics. Earlier they used to blame stubble burning in Punjab for pollution in Delhi. But now Bhagwant Mann says he can't do anything about it. What happened with biodecomposers? He said.
Meanwhile, AAP leader Reena Gupta said, "Whether it's the issue of water pollution or air pollution, these issues cross administrative boundaries. There is an airshed within approximately 300 kilometres of Delhi, and the Supreme Court has consistently stated that all state governments need to work together to address this issue."
However, only the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab are actively tackling it. In Haryana, there has been a 30 per cent increase in stubble-burning incidents, while Uttar Pradesh has seen a 70 per cent increase. In contrast, Punjab has experienced a 30 per cent reduction in such incidents, she claimed.
