‘Resorting to extreme tactics’: Sirsa blames AAP for air pollution, Atishi hits back

“This anti-people behaviour is criminal and needs immediate action. This is being done so that the BJP is defamed…,” Sirsa wrote, urging immediate intervention and accountability from the government. “Those responsible, including the Mayor, must be booked and held accountable for endangering the public health and environment. I want to tell senior AAP leaders Atishi and Arvind ji, that you should accept defeat… If you are willing to then go and file a case against your workers and the corporation.”

In the video shared by the Delhi minister, garbage could be seen burning in a park.

Sirsa further said: “…you should allow us (BJP) to work in Delhi… Since BJP took charge in Delhi, we have been consistently working to reduce pollution, and have been successful. Air quality is improving every year, with many days being cleaner. We have broken records over the last three years, something that is not sitting well with AAP. I am very ashamed that AAP has fallen so much…”

Dismissing the allegations, AAP leader Atishi said: “When the BJP fought elections, their slogan across Delhi was ‘Bahane nahin, badlav chahiye’ (No excuses, we need change). I would urge the Environment Minister to reflect on this.”

Also highlighting that no action plan or briefing on the matter has been presented by the ruling BJP government yet, Atishi said: “It has barely been a month since he (Sirsa) became a minister, yet his only focus has been to abuse AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. If you go through the previous Assembly session or press conferences held by BJP, you will notice that 99% of the time, their leaders have done nothing but attack AAP. Over this month, neither in the Assembly nor in official briefings has he presented a vision, action plan or a timeline meant for any department… The BJP minister said that ‘no excuses, we need change’, but in just a month, he has failed, and is making excuses — it is unfortunate.”