Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s demand from the Central Government on Tuesday to help the Delhi Government in sending 10 lakh litres of water per day for two months to the drought-hit latur by train has been criticised.
“He should quench the thirst of Delhiites first. There are many places in Delhi itself where the people don’t get water to drink. First provide water to the people of Delhi then talk of latur,” former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told ANI.
“Kejriwal feels it is necessary for him to comment on everything,” she added.
BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri said Kejriwal should focus on Delhi. “There are many areas in Tughalakabad, Badarpur and South Delhi where water crisis has begun. In some areas water reaches once in two-three days,” said Bidhuri, adding that AAP is doing politics on the issue.
Terming it a politically motivated statement, loP in Delhi Assembly, Vijendra Gupta said it is a political move to ask the Prime Minister to arrange dispatch of water to the affected areas as it is highly unfeasible and uneconomical to send water to such a great distance through special trains. “The reality is that one third of Delhi’s own population is being denied supply of potable water,” Gupta said.
“In the letter, Kejriwal writes that the PM should also urge other States to follow suit. With this generously publicised declaration, Kejriwal perhaps hopes to achieve two things: One, the impression that he can better a BJP Government. Two, AAP is the first of all State parties to offer help to a State where it has no presence. Both fit perfectly into the scheme of AAP’s national ambitions,” said AAP leader on the condition of anonymity.