Water Crisis Spurs Political Clashes in Delhi: BJP Protests, AAP’s Hunger Strike

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd June. Tensions escalated in the national capital as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists staged a vociferous protest outside the Delhi Jal Board office on Saturday, demanding immediate action on the prevailing water scarcity issues. The demonstration, met with police intervention including the use of water cannons, underscored the escalating political turmoil over Delhi’s water management.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government, asserting that sufficient water from Haryana is being supplied as affirmed by the Supreme Court. “AAP has controlled Delhi and its critical departments for a decade. Are they protesting against their own governance?” questioned Poonawalla, accusing AAP of shielding the alleged water tanker mafia for vested interests.

“Instead of cracking down on the water tanker mafia, they resort to theatrics,” Poonawalla added, questioning AAP’s motives amidst escalating public frustration over water shortages.

In response, Delhi’s Water Minister Atishi started an indefinite hunger strike on Friday, alongside AAP leader Sanjay Singh and party members, at Bhogal near Jangpura. Their protest aimed to highlight Delhi’s claims that Haryana is withholding its due water allocation.

Amidst these developments, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, conveyed a message from her husband, currently under judicial custody, expressing anguish over the plight of Delhi residents due to water scarcity. “Arvind Kejriwal is deeply pained by the suffering of Delhiites. He hopes Atishi’s resolve will bring relief,” stated Sunita Kejriwal, emphasizing solidarity with Atishi’s hunger strike.

The water crisis has not only sparked political blame games but also brought into focus the governance challenges in managing Delhi’s water resources. With both BJP and AAP taking firm stances, the issue is set to dominate public discourse and legislative agendas in the upcoming sessions, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions to alleviate Delhi’s water woes.