AAP Targets Gambhir For Skipping Meeting On Air Pollution

Gautam skipped the Parliamentary panel meeting on Friday to discuss the severe air pollution in Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party on Friday took a dig on cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir for skipping the Parliamentary panel meeting to discuss the severe air pollution in Delhi. They accused the former cricketer of ‘enjoying’ in Indore while the national capital is choking. The party took to social media and stated that the agenda for the meeting was shared a week ago and clearly said it was to discuss the air pollution levels in Delhi. They also asked if Gambhir's seriousness on pollution is “limited to the commentary box”.

Agenda for today's meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee was circulated a week back & clearly stated air pollution in NCR-Delhi.

* MP from East Delhi @GautamGambhir was Missing * क्या Commentary Box तक ही सीमित है प्रदूषण को लेकर गंभीरता ?#ShameOnGautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/BAwShC8ES5 — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 15, 2019

The uproar was caused after former Indian batsman VVS Laxman tweeted photos of Gambhir at a local eatery in Indore.

Kabhi pohe se teekhe, kabhi jalebi se meethe ... wonderful start to the day in Indoor, where we had breakfast outdoor 😛 pic.twitter.com/DxIPtNqYi7

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 15, 2019

The AAP further targeted Gambhir and said, “…stop playing blame games over pollution and ATTEND MEETINGS ON AIR POLLUTION” Here’s the tweet

Instead of sitting in commentary box and enjoying...

We challenge @GautamGambhir to stop playing blame games over pollution and ATTEND MEETINGS ON AIR POLLUTION which he skipped Contempt of Court! Strict action should be taken against all absentees!#ShameOnGautamGambhir https://t.co/KrA6NtoOQH pic.twitter.com/dXOycuaYSP — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 15, 2019

According to several media reports, members present at the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development were very upset with the absentees. It was also learned that only four out of 29 MPs and a few other officials turned up for the meeting on Friday. Following the incident, environment minister Prakash Javdekar said that he will investigate and take the necessary action. “I will find out the details and investigate. We are always very serious about pollution. I have emphasised that pollution is not only Delhi's problem. I have ordered a joint action plan. Teams are working with coordination,” Javadekar said. Key officials who skipped the meeting are the Environment Secretary, Forest Secretary, the Secretary dealing with climate change, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) representative and the three chiefs of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.