Senior AAP leaders Harpal Singh Cheema and Baltej Singh Pannu have launched a sharp counterattack against the BJP over allegations linking Punjab’s stubble burning to the national capital’s pollution crisis. The political battle over Delhi’s worsening air pollution has escalated into a fresh confrontation between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party or AAP and the Opposition BJP.
The latest exchange follows remarks by Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra. The BJP has been raising concern over stubble burning in the state, holding it responsible for contributing to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. The AAP leadership, however, has accused the BJP of deliberately targeting Punjab and its farming community.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema termed the BJP an anti-Punjab and anti-farmer party, alleging that it was repeatedly looking for opportunities to malign the state’s farmers. “Does the smoke travel from Punjab to Delhi in vehicles or is it packed in sacks and sent to the national capital? Cheema asked sarcastically. He also questioned why the BJP was not highlighting pollution originating in Haryana with the same intensity.
Pointing to the geographical distance, he said nearly 300 kilometres of Haryana separates Punjab from Delhi.
Cheema then said apparently, Haryana’s smoke travelled towards Pakistan while Punjab’s smoke was blamed for reaching Delhi. AAP On Government’s Anti-Stubble Burning Measures Defending the Bhagwant Mann-led government’s efforts, Cheema said it has provided farmers with a large number of agricultural machines over the past five years to manage paddy straw without burning it.
