New Delhi: Delhi BJP on Wednesday accused minister Gopal Rai of engaging in "petty politics" by shifting the blame for the city's pollution onto Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan while ignoring the role of Punjab. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that AAP govt was "misleading" Delhi residents about pollution caused by stubble burning. He also demanded Rai's resignation.
Sachdeva further claimed that Punjab was the main culprit behind the city's pollution. "Between Sept 15 and Oct 22, Punjab saw 1,581 cases of stubble burning, compared to 665 in Haryana and 740 in Uttar Pradesh," said the Delhi BJP chief.
Sachdeva alleged that Supreme Court had reprimanded Punjab govt for protecting farmers involved in stubble burning.
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav said Kejriwal had no idea how to control pollution.
AAP said it was disgraceful that the Delhi BJP president was "misquoting" Supreme Court, which has strongly reprimanded both central govt and the state of Haryana. "The BJP's central govt's own data shows that while Punjab has reduced stubble burning by over 50%, it has surged by 23% in Haryana and 70% in Uttar Pradesh," stated the party. "Delhi is witnessing the cleanest air in the past 10 years," claimed AAP.
Meanwhile, BJP functionaries have planned a protest against the pollution in the Yamuna at the ITO chhath ghat on Wednesday.tnn