Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva recently criticized former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for failing to clean the Yamuna River, as he had promised by 2025. Sachdeva’s comments came after he took a dip in the heavily polluted river, protesting what he called the Delhi government’s mismanagement of cleanup funds. Shortly after, he reported skin rashes and breathing issues and was treated by doctors who advised him to rest and take medication for three days. The BJP’s social media page also shared Sachdeva’s experience, highlighting the health risks posed by the river’s pollution.
The incident quickly turned into a political debate, with AAP’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai accusing BJP of exaggerating pollution issues for publicity. Rai dismissed Sachdeva’s act as a “drama,” saying it was meant to provoke and escalate concerns rather than genuinely address the pollution problem.
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In a further challenge to AAP, Sachdeva invited Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal to visit the riverbanks themselves. Referring to Kejriwal’s former residence, nicknamed the "Sheesh Mahal" (Glass Palace), Sachdeva sarcastically offered a “red carpet” and chairs, commenting that former occupants might need such luxury for a river inspection. Sachdeva also demanded transparency from AAP, questioning how ₹8,500 crore allocated by the central government for Yamuna cleanup had been used, suggesting that funds might have been mismanaged.
This back-and-forth reflects the growing political tensions in Delhi over environmental issues and government accountability. The incident underscores the deep divide between Delhi’s ruling party and the opposition as they continue to spar over the city’s most pressing issues.