AAP, BJP spar over Yamuna de-foaming amid CMs go to

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s go to to Kalindi Kunj on Thursday to evaluate preparations for Chhath Puja reignited a political row between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the spraying of chemical substances to curb froth on the Yamuna river.

During her go to, Ms. Gupta hit out at AAP, alleging that in its tenure, the river was coated in dense froth and devotees have been pressured to face in polluted waters to carry out rituals. She mentioned ladies devotees will rejoice the competition in a Yamuna freed from froth this 12 months. In a veiled swipe at AAP, the Chief Minister mentioned some individuals are making an attempt to unfold “deceptive data” in regards to the present situation of the river, which, she mentioned, “should be averted”.

 Ms. Gupta emphasised that the de-foamers and different chemical brokers being sprayed to suppress froth have been “fully eco-friendly and authorized”. The CM mentioned the federal government adheres to strict transparency and security requirements, and any negligence within the course of won’t be tolerated. Officials of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) mentioned that, as in earlier years, the spraying of de-foaming brokers had begun close to Kalindi Kunj to forestall froth formation exacerbated by the autumn of water from the Okhla Barrage.

‘BJP stands uncovered’

AAP leaders accused the BJP of “hypocrisy”, alleging that it had as soon as criticised the identical chemical course of. The BJP has accused AAP of utilizing toxic chemical substances prior to now. “The BJP stands uncovered as it’s now utilizing the very chemical substances it earlier known as toxic,” the get together mentioned in a press release.

Addressing a press convention, AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj mentioned that in 2022, when the DJB used related brokers earlier than Chhath Puja, Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh had publicly opposed the transfer, calling the chemical substances poisonous. “The similar division below their authorities has now floated a young and bought the identical chemical once more,” Mr. Bharadwaj mentioned.

He additionally accused the BJP of “intentionally retaining the Yamuna polluted” prior to now.

“They unfold concern that the water was toxic and devotees might fall ailing or die. The motive was to maintain Purvanchalis away from their competition,” Mr. Bharadwaj mentioned. AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha demanded an apology from Mr. Singh. “If the de-foamer is poison, why is it getting used now? And if it isn’t, he should apologise for deceptive folks,” Mr. Jha mentioned.