Political Clash Erupts Over Delhi's Worsening Air Quality as Rahul Gandhi Targets BJP

File photo

New Delhi:

Delhi's worsening air pollution has ignited another heated political confrontation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has publicly criticized the BJP on Monday for continuously "changing excuses every year" while the capital's air quality deteriorates, which immediately triggered a response from Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.

In his pointed criticism of the ruling party, Gandhi stated, "Year after year, Delhi's air is turning more poisonous, yet BJP governments keep changing their excuses. Now that the BJP rules both at the Centre and in Delhi, there can be no more excuses. People want clean air, not just promises."

The Congress leader also included a Hindi message expressing similar sentiments about Delhi's increasingly toxic air and the BJP's governance at both central and local levels.

Sirsa promptly responded to the allegations, shifting blame to both Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the pollution crisis in the national capital.

"15 years of Congress government and 10 years of AAP government are responsible for the pollution situation in Delhi. In the last ten years, the cleanest air quality has been recorded this year, under the BJP government," Sirsa defended.

The political exchange occurs against the backdrop of Delhi's deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI).

As of 7 am this morning, the overall AQI in the national capital registered at 309, placing it in the "very poor" category according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Several areas including Alipur, Anand Vihar, Burari, and Wazirpur recorded AQI levels exceeding 400, categorizing them in the "severe" pollution zone.

For reference, AQI measurements are classified as follows: 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

Environmental specialists emphasize that Delhi's smog crisis requires sustained solutions rather than seasonal political blame-shifting. Nevertheless, as happens annually, the capital's hazardous air quality has once again become a political battleground while residents continue struggling to breathe.