Cong criticises both parties: Chaos in MCD as AAP, BJP clash over water crisis, desilting of drains

BJP councillors, however, staged a demonstration outside the House after the adjournment. The party leaders were seen carrying earthen pots and chanting slogans like “Ab toh ye spasht hai, Kejriwal brasht hai… (Now it is clear that Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt)” and “Paani do bhai paani do, Kejriwal paani do (Give us water, Kejriwal).” BJP leaders broke the earthen pots before ending their protest.

Stressing that Delhi is facing dual crises of water shortage and potential flooding due to the lack of desilting of drains, Leader of Opposition Raja Iqbal Singh said, “People are currently suffering due to the shortage of water. Soon, there will be another issue due to excess water as drains have not been desilted even as monsoon is on the brink. This will go down in the national capital’s black history…The AAP has not laid any new pipelines in Delhi, and sewage water is reaching homes through broken pipes. The first spell of rain has exposed the claims of the AAP with waterlogging witnessed in many parts of the city,” Singh said.

A total of 32 waterlogging complaints were received after rain on Thursday morning. There are 713 drains that come under the MCD, and June 30 has been set as the deadline for pre-monsoon desilting, said officials. Singh warned that if conditions do not improve, BJP will escalate the protest to the Vidhan Sabha.

Leader of the House Mukesh Goel criticised the BJP for disruptive behaviour. “Ever since our government came into power, the BJP has not acted like a responsible Opposition even in a single meeting. They do not allow us to hold any discussions. If drains are not being desilted, it needs to be discussed in the House,” he said. Goel also said that the Mayor had met with the Leader of the Opposition to ensure smooth proceedings, but the BJP went ahead to disrupt the meeting.

Meanwhile, Congress councillors criticised the AAP and the BJP for the disruption in the House. Congress’s Farhad Suri, ex-councillor and former mayor, emphasised upon the urgency of addressing public health issues, “With the arrival of monsoon, soon there will be dengue and malaria cases, but the desilting has not been completed. We support politics but not at the cost of people,” he said.

“Both the AAP and BJP are not behaving responsibly. The fight must end, and both parties should come to a consensus on how to carry out the House proceedings,” he said.