“Delhi pollution, due to crop stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, has become a political flashpoint between AAP, Congress and BJP governments in the states.
“Even as the threat of air pollution fails to abate, it has become a political flashpoint among the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress—the three parties and otherwise bitter rivals heading governments in the states of Delhi, Haryana and Punjab respectively.
With the seasonal spike in air pollution becoming an annual phenomenon, the question being asked is whether it will, like the promise of development, become part of the electoral lexicon in a metropolis like Delhi.
On Monday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticized the Delhi government for failing to rise above electoral interests.
“In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in ‘Punjab and Haryana’ in stubble burning betrays an inability to rise above short term electoral interests. Your assertion ‘the Governments have failed to provide them economically viable solutions’ gives away your subconscious awareness of your Government’s inaction in this regard,” he said in his letter.
Last week, Kejriwal had sent letters to the chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab seeking appointments to discuss ways to tackle air pollution. Responding to the letter, Khattar said that he is open to meeting “anytime, anywhere”.
Responding to the allegations levelled by Haryana chief minister, Delhi cabinet minister Gopal Rai alleged that the Haryana state government was playing the blame game instead of taking action…” LiveMint, November 14, 2017. Read the full article below on DelhiAir.org.
As Delhi chokes, air pollution at centre of political slugfest
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