With Delhi set for Assembly elections, the BJP has turned up the heat on the ruling AAP by raking up the pollution issue and alleged corruption. The release of ‘Aarop Patra’ against Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal and his government on Monday marked a milestone in the saffron party's election campaign.
During the release of 'Aarop Patra (chargesheet) at a function attended by Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva and BJP MP Anurag Thakur.
Taking a dig at Kejriwal, Anurag Thakur called on the former Chief Minister to take a dip in the polluted Yamuna. "We need to save Delhi from Kejriwal’s corruption and pollution. I appeal to Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna because if it is not cleaned by 2025, we will hold him accountable,” the BJP MP added.
#WATCH | Delhi: BJP MP Anurag Thakur says, " AAP govt polluted Yamuna River so badly, it has become so smelly, foamy and poisonous...I remember, during a press conference in 2022, Kejriwal had said that before the next election, he, along with people would take a dip in the… https://t.co/GvkCDa92Xj pic.twitter.com/pcMOSJn8Hl
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2024
He raked up the pollution in the Yamuna, stating that poeple from Purvanchal used to perform Chhath Puja with devotion and rituals on the banks of the Yamuna but not anymore.
"Ten years have passed, has the Yamuna been cleaned? Delhi’s AQI went above 500, the Yamuna is heavily polluted, thank you, Kejriwal government. In return, the people of Delhi were left without even basic access to water. The Prime Minister’s Jal Jeevan Mission ensured water supply to everyone, but Kejriwal did not allow it to be implemented here," he said.
He also alleged that the Kejriwal government engaged in multiple corruptions. “They promised to make Delhi’s schools world-class, yet over 2,00,000 students are still deprived of education. They promised 24/7 clean and free water, but today, thousands of families are forced to buy water from tankers after spending money. They promised free clinics and large hospitals in Delhi, but today 70 per cent of patients are compelled to seek treatment in private hospitals. The AQI level once crossed 1200 and is still above 500. They promised to make Delhi corruption-free, but eight ministers, one MP, and 15 MLAs from their party have already been to jail,” he said.
He added that Delhi has become a gas chamber due to the excessive air pollution and bad sewage system. "This is causing diseases like malaria and dengue. The water is polluted."
Kejriwal strikes back
Arvind Kejriwal too mounted an attack on BJP, stating the party had no vision for Delhi and its sole agenda was to abuse Kejriwal. "The BJP neither has an agenda nor a Chief Minister face for this election. BJP knows only one thing: how to abuse Kejriwal," the AAP national convener said.
