Think all INDIA bloc parties will sit after polls, discuss (future): AAP’s Gopal Rai

We have built a mini stadium for the youth, because in Jamuna-paar, if school children had to play any game, they had to go to a stadium in East Vinod Nagar. There was no other alternative. This mini stadium has been most beneficial for the youth.

A foreign newspaper had last November reported on the health risks posed by Okhla waste-to-energy (WTE) plant. But the plant is still running. Experts have revealed that all four WTEs in the city have exceeded permissible limits of pollutants. Why no action has been taken?

There are two things – it could be specifically in regard to the WTE plant and then it could be about the efforts made to control pollution in Delhi. To improve the Delhi’s environment, we were the first to make a serious effort… In 2016, only 109 days were in the (good to moderate AQI categories). In 2024, this increased from 109 to 209 days….

A few things have played a major factor in this. Firstly, we shifted the public transport system from CNG to electric… currently, 2,000 electric buses are running, no other state has as many electric buses. Secondly, we formulated a subsidy policy to push people to use electric vehicles. Thirdly, by providing 24X7 electricity, we did away with generators that used to operate on fuel and pollute the air. Fourthly, the industries, which were using polluting fuels, have shifted to municipal gas…

Before our government was formed in Delhi, the green belt covered an area of just 20%, today it is over 23%. Our campaign to improve the environment in Delhi is showing positive results.

While AAP has made several poll promises, no new measure has been announced to reduce pollution.

We are continuously working on it… As I said, we have 2,000 electric buses in Delhi… There are BJP governments in states around Delhi, the Union government is led by BJP. Do you know what type of buses are run there? Diesel buses, not even CNG buses… and they send these diesel buses to Delhi as well.

You must have heard that the pollution levels are the highest in Anand Vihar, why is that? Because all of Uttar Pradesh’s diesel buses are (entering ISBT Anand Vihar) to drop and pick up passengers… Have you heard of the Union government doing anything for the environment?

…I am the Environment Minister of Delhi. Who is the Environment Minister of Uttar Pradesh? Who is the Environment Minister of Haryana? Who is the Environment Minister of Rajasthan? Nobody knows them.

The work our government has been doing for the environment is undeniable… (109 days of good to moderate AQI increasing to 209 days) is not common but we have done it. Further, taking one step at a time – whether in case of technological modification, research work or public support work, we are going to take steps in each field to decrease pollution levels further.

How do you see Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comments against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal?

The question that is in every person’s mind is who will form the next government in Delhi. Can Congress form the government? …100% of the people would have only one answer – ‘No’. Then who can form the government? It’s either AAP or BJP.

People are also thinking that if BJP forms a government then what would be the condition of Delhi? They feel that we should bring AAP government back because it is working better than other governments.

…People are thinking that if they vote for Congress, then a BJP government will be formed, and this will harm the future of Delhi… this mindset is prevailing on the ground.

What do you think this means for the future of INDIA bloc?

I think all parties in the alliance will sit together after this election and discuss.

Congress and AIMIM have been claiming that AAP had not stood by Delhi’s Muslim population during the 2020 riots. Your own constituency, which has a sizeable Muslim population, had witnessed violence at the time of the riots. What are your views on this?

..The riots did not take place on their own, they were instigated…. after that, all night, a protest was held outside the L-G’s house, who was protesting? We were. The BJP and Congress did not even come there. I was taking the injured people to GTB hospital and getting them treated, but no leader from any other party came. I was getting compensation for the people who suffered losses. No BJP leader was seen there. A relief camp was set up, we set it up. So, saying is one thing and doing is another thing.

Many say nothing much have been done for the Muslim population in the run-up to the polls. Your constituency has a considerable presence of Muslim voters, can something be expected in future for them?

The Muslim community in our area is extremely marginalised, the best way to improve their condition is to educate them… Why are they still standing with us? Keeping free electricity, water and other facilities aside, the work we have done in the education sector is creating a new generation (for them). I feel there is no bigger work than that. It is a game-changer for the entire community, it is bringing a new confidence among the children and their guardians.

I keep visiting schools, I talk to the children. Even the guardians have seen a change in their thinking… Earlier, it used to be that the child has grown a bit, now he should be sent to work. But now, as the schools are better, the children are also interested in studying and the guardians are involved in their studies. This will lead to the emergence of a new generation, which will also take the whole society forward.

Free electricity and water, better school, transportation for women, healthcare facilities — there is not a single family in Delhi which is not benefitting…

Just before the MCD’s Standing Committee elections, many AAP councillors had left to join BJP, putting the party’s majority at stake. How does AAP plan to deal with its dwindled numbers?

…Since the last two years, the BJP is on the mission to finish off the entire party, to finish off the government. They did it in Maharashtra, broke a party like NCP, broke a party like Shiv Sena, finished off the government. But they could not do it in Delhi… so they arrested our leaders… but could not finish off the government.

Now, if we talk about MCD, they (BJP) have been fighting us from the very first day to get a hold on the MCD, they had declared that they will hijack our government… everyone saw how they hijacked it in Chandigarh… So, whatever challenges come in the future, we will find solutions for them.