As choking smog engulfs the national capital for the third consecutive day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of offering "changing excuses every year" for Delhi's worsening air pollution crisis. In a pointed social media post on Monday, 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 remarks come amid Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) registering at 309 early Monday morning, categorising it as "very poor", with hotspots like Alipur, Anand Vihar, Burari, and Wazirpur exceeding 400 and entering the "severe" zone, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa swiftly rebutted Gandhi's claims, pinning the blame squarely on the previous Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regimes. "15 years of Congress government and 10 years of AAP government are responsible for the pollution situation in Delhi," Sirsa asserted, adding that the cleanest air quality in the last decade was recorded this year under the BJP-led administration. He cited comparative AQI figures from past years under AAP—382, 468, 450, 314, 494, and 340—contrasting them with the current 309, despite increased vehicle numbers and construction activity. Sirsa accused Gandhi of spreading "lies" and defaming the government, emphasising that the BJP is actively correcting the "disease" left by predecessors.

Delhi's annual winter smog battle stems from a toxic mix of stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and construction dust, exacerbated by stagnant winds and low temperatures. This year's crisis has prompted measures like the odd-even vehicle scheme, enhanced water sprinkling, and anti-dust protocols under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's Winter Action Plan. However, experts decry the recurring seasonal blame game, urging long-term solutions such as cleaner fuels, stricter farm residue management, and regional coordination.

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The political sparring underscores deepening rifts ahead of key electoral battles, with Congress leveraging public frustration over health impacts—burning eyes, respiratory issues, and school closures—to corner the BJP. AAP, now in opposition after BJP's assembly poll victory, has remained muted, focusing instead on criticising past cloud-seeding efforts as a "cruel joke".

As residents don masks and visibility drops to hazardous levels, the exchange highlights governance challenges in one of the world's most polluted cities. With AQI forecasts predicting further deterioration, Delhiites brace for prolonged discomfort, demanding accountability beyond rhetoric from all parties involved.

Also Read: BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa Accuses AAP of Forcing Punjab Farmers, Causing Delhi Smog