Allegations surfaced on Wednesday from Delhi’s Cabinet Minister, Atishi, accusing the BJP of orchestrating a novel scheme aimed at targeting the AAP. She asserted that through its administration in Haryana, the BJP has disrupted the flow of water to the nation’s capital.
In a rebuttal to Atishi’s claims, Virendra Sachdeva, President of Delhi’s BJP, retorted, “In apprehension of its impending defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the AAP has resorted to fabricating falsehoods. Despite our earlier raising of concerns regarding the water scarcity crisis, the minister remained silent on Monday, only to now shift blame onto the BJP.”
Atishi’s assertions came during a press briefing where she highlighted the BJP’s persistent efforts to undermine the AAP, particularly since the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. “Within five days of the election announcement, the arrest of Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, prevented the AAP from conducting its campaign. Subsequently, even attempts to implicate him through the party’s Rajya Sabha MP, Swati Maliwal, failed,” Atishi claimed.
“Following this, they revived allegations of foreign funding against the party, and now, via their authority in Haryana, the BJP has obstructed the supply of Yamuna water to Delhi,” she alleged. Sachdeva countered, asserting that “A month ago, while incarcerated in Tihar, CM Kejriwal penned a missive to her addressing water supply concerns. She must elucidate on the actions taken in the interim. The ineptitude and corruption of the AAP administration are to blame for Delhi’s water shortage.”
Atishi disclosed that the issue came to light following a surge in complaints regarding water scarcity, even from regions previously unaffected. She declared intentions to correspond with the Haryana government promptly, threatening legal recourse through the Supreme Court should swift action not be taken.
“The water level of the Yamuna typically hovers around 674 feet at Wazirabad, maintaining a minimum of 672 feet. However, on May 11, it dipped to 671.6 feet, persisting for three days. By May 16, it dwindled further to 671 feet, and on May 21, an unprecedented low of 670.9 feet was recorded,” Atishi revealed. She went on to accuse the BJP of tarnishing the AAP’s reputation and causing distress to Delhi’s populace.
“Their objective is to engineer a water crisis in the capital, thereby influencing voters. However, I caution the BJP that the people of Delhi cannot be deceived,” she warned.