AAP accuses BJP of criminal conspiracy to mislead city people on pollution levels
In a sharp attack on the BJP-led Delhi Government, AAP Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday accused the BJP of orchestrating a “criminal conspiracy” to deceive the public on the real pollution levels in the national capital.
Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP had installed new air quality monitoring stations deep inside forest areas, where pollution levels are naturally lower, to falsely present an improved air quality narrative ahead of the elections. He demanded answers from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, questioning which official authorised the installations and whether Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines were followed.
“If fooling the public is all this government aims to do, why not install air quality monitors inside the drawing rooms of all seven ministers?” Bharadwaj asked sarcastically during a press conference.
He said the BJP had promised to solve Delhi’s pollution crisis, but was now engaged in “manipulating data” instead of real action.
Bharadwaj claimed that monitors were installed at six locations – Central Ridge near Malcha Mahal, JNU, IGNOU, Commonwealth Sports Complex and NSUT Najafgarh – all areas surrounded by greenery and low population density.
“Pollution levels in these zones are typically half of what these are in residential and industrial areas,” he said, adding that this tactic would artificially lower Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) without any real improvement in air quality.
Highlighting discrepancies, he compared AQI levels recorded at different locations. “While Wazirpur Industrial Area recorded an AQI of 373, Rohini recorded 334 and Mandir Marg, one of the cleaner sites, saw AQI of 156. In contrast, a forest area like Malcha Mahal would show AQI level around 80,” he said.
Bharadwaj warned that by allowing monitors in green zones and neglecting those in high-pollution areas, the government was endangering public health. “This is not just negligence, it is criminal misconduct. Citizens may think the air is safe while continuing to inhale toxic air,” he said.
Calling for accountability, Bharadwaj asked the government to publicly disclose the name of the officer responsible for choosing the new locations and clarify whether due scientific procedures were followed.
Reacting to the allegations, Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa refuted AAP’s claims, accusing the party of spreading lies.
Taking to X, Sirsa wrote in Hindi: “The world may change, but AAP leaders never will. Whether in power or in opposition, they will continue to spread lies and filth! The decision regarding the installation of air quality monitoring stations at these six locations was taken during the AAP’s tenure itself. Now that pollution levels are visibly reducing due to the continuous efforts of the BJP government, AAP is unable to digest it and has resorted to spreading falsehoods. People understand your deception. Lies cannot survive in the light of truth.”
Delhi