New Delhi: Days ahead of Chhath, BJP leaders in Delhi accused the AAP dispensation of “hurting” the religious sentiments as it cited heavy pollution and toxic foam in Yamuna river, news agency PTI reported. Addressing a joint press conference, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said that it is evident from the white foam over the Yamuna river that the AAP government does not care about the religious sentiments of the people who are set to celebrate Chhath three days later.
BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said that Chhath is a festival that worships nature and the Delhi government hasn’t taken any steps to curb river pollution.
“Before devotees observe fast for Chhath, the water bodies where the festival is celebrated are cleaned by their family members and kin. Maybe the AAP thinks that cow milk and Gangajal cannot be poured in the Yamuna by devotees...but sewage and chemicals can be mixed into its water,” PTI quoted Tiwari as saying.
Delhi BJP's Purvanchal Morcha chief Neeraj Tiwari said despite an announcement by Municipal Corporation of Delhi mayor to provide financial assistance to Chhath committees, no money was provided for the preparations.
"No Chhath samitis have been given even a penny despite the mayor's announcement that two committees in each ward will be provided Rs 40,000 each for preparations for Chhath," the BJP leader said, as quoted by PTI.
Delhi Congress Holds ‘Shadow Cabinet’ Meet Amid Worsening Air Quality
Amid the worsening air pollution in the national capital, the Congress' Delhi unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely held a ‘shadow cabinet’ meeting of former ministers, PTI reported.
According to a statement released by the Congress, the meeting passed two resolutions.
One of the resolutions was to urge Lt Governor VK Saxena and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to convene an all-party meet to discuss the matter, and set up a high-powered monitoring panel, headed by a Supreme Court judge and comprising environment experts.