New Delhi: Politics over air pollution in the national capital heated up sharply on Monday, even before the start of the Delhi Assembly session, with the ruling BJP and opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) engaging in a war of words inside the Assembly premises.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa launched a scathing attack on both the Congress and AAP, calling Delhi’s worsening air quality a “collective failure spanning nearly four decades.” He said air pollution in Delhi was not a recent problem and had been flagged as early as 1985, when the issue first reached the Supreme Court.
Sirsa alleged that despite ruling Delhi for nearly 15 years (Congress) and 11 years (AAP) respectively, both parties failed to provide any permanent solution to the pollution crisis. “The toxic air Delhi breathes today is the direct result of policy failures and inaction over the last 40 years,” the Minister said.
Highlighting the present government’s steps, Sirsa claimed that several environmental policy decisions had been taken that directly benefited lakhs of residents. He added that eligibility limits under various schemes had been expanded so that more citizens could access government benefits. He also acknowledged the role of senior BJP leader Rekha Gupta in strengthening welfare outreach.
The Environment Minister demanded a serious discussion on pollution during the Assembly session, stating that the CAG report on Delhi’s environmental condition should be tabled in the House to bring past failures into public focus. He also said details related to the alleged ‘Sheesh Mahal’ expenditure should be placed before the public to present a complete picture of governance over the years.
Meanwhile, AAP leaders staged a symbolic protest by wearing masks inside the Assembly complex. Leader of Opposition Atishi accused the BJP of failing to provide clean air to Delhiites, stating that residents were being forced to step out wearing masks due to severe pollution.
“At a time when people are struggling to breathe clean air, the BJP government has no concrete solution,” Atishi said, adding that AAP legislators wore masks to reflect the daily hardship faced by the public.
With the Assembly session set to begin, the 40-year-old pollution issue has once again emerged as a central political flashpoint. The key question now is whether the debate will move beyond accusations and counter-accusations to produce a credible, long-term roadmap for improving Delhi’s air quality.
