Delhi Pollution Row: Sirsa Blames AAP, Apologises for AQI Crisis
BJP minister says fixing Delhi’s air in months is impossible, opposition escalates political blame game
- Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa blames AAP for Delhi’s pollution crisis
- Sirsa apologises to citizens, says AQI cannot be fixed in 9–10 months
- Delhi’s AQI improves slightly to ‘very poor’ but remains alarming at 381
- AAP, Congress target Centre as political sparring intensifies
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Dec: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the national capital’s air pollution crisis, saying it was “impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9–10 months.”
Calling pollution a “disease” inherited from the previous government, Sirsa said, “This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it.” He also issued an apology to residents, stating, “I apologise for the pollution in Delhi,” while asserting that the BJP government was performing better than the “dishonest AAP government” and that air quality had improved day by day.
His remarks came as Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 381, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category—an improvement from the ‘severe’ levels recorded between December 13 and 15. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Wazipur recorded the worst AQI at 434, followed by Jahangirpuri at 430, while Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar also remained in the severe zone.
The pollution crisis has triggered a sharp political confrontation. AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not addressed the issue publicly, while the Congress demanded an immediate discussion on air pollution in the Lok Sabha.
The controversy intensified after the Singapore government issued an advisory cautioning its citizens in India about Delhi’s pollution levels. Bhardwaj shared the advisory on X, alleging international embarrassment. Responding, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor dismissed the criticism, saying such advisories are routine and reminded that during AAP’s earlier tenure, Delhi had even been declared a “No Family Station” for foreign postings.
Adding to the blame game, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann rejected allegations against his state, saying Punjab’s cities had AQI levels between 70 and 100 and should not be blamed for Delhi’s pollution.
