AAP Minister Gopal Rai alleges BJP influence over Police, blames party for 'Severe' Delhi Pollution amidst Diwali firecracker controversy

A day after Diwali, Delhi's air quality reached severe levels, raising health concerns for residents. Delhi Minister Gopal Rai pointed fingers at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), blaming them for the worsening air quality. He accused BJP leaders of endorsing firecracker bursts despite a Supreme Court ban, asserting control over police forces in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh but failing to enforce the prohibition.

ALSO READ: Post-Diwali haze: Delhi leads, with two more Indian Cities in Global top for air pollution

Gopal Rai accused the BJP of trying to deflect blame for the pollution crisis. He questioned why firecrackers were still bursting when there was no festival on the day after Diwali, insinuating that BJP leaders wanted crackers to be ignited. Rai highlighted the failure to uphold the Supreme Court ban, pointing out that the police forces were under BJP control.

Government measures and opposition criticism

Rai emphasized the Delhi government's implementation of anti-pollution measures, including GRAP-4 regulations. Water sprinkling campaigns and vehicle bans were part of these measures to address dust particles. In response, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla blamed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab for the pollution, citing stubble burning. The Congress criticized both BJP and AAP for the deteriorating air quality, emphasizing the responsibility of the central government in maintaining law and order in Delhi.

ALSO READ: Supreme Court demands Government response to Tamil Nadu's allegations of Governor's delay tactics on bills

As Delhi grapples with severe pollution, the political blame game intensifies, with citizens caught in the midst of deteriorating air quality.