As Delhi choked under a thick blanket of smog with the Air Quality Index (AQI) breaching the 450-mark on Friday, December 19, 2025, the political slugfest intensified. Arvind Kejriwal, responding to a BJP delegation's "request" to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to not "spike pollution," retorted sharply, asserting that the crisis was a result of the BJP's long-standing policies and inaction.
The BJP's "Request" and Kejriwal's Retort
A delegation from the Delhi BJP had earlier held a press conference, urging the AAP government to take concrete steps to curb pollution, especially in light of the post-Diwali surge.
Kejriwal's response, delivered via a public statement, did not mince words: "They are telling us not to spike pollution. Delhi is now a gas chamber, and this is your own doing, BJP. For years, you have ignored the sources, mocked our efforts, and now you come with 'requests'?"
10 साल दिल्ली में हमारी सरकार रही, कभी इतना भयानक प्रदूषण नहीं देखा, फिर भी हमने कड़े कदम उठाए। आज हाल ये है कि BJP सरकार ऑफ़िशियल AQI तक मैनेज करने में लगी है।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 18, 2025
जिस देश की राजधानी गैस चैंबर बन जाए और प्रधानमंत्री को प्रदूषण से कोई सरोकार ही न हो, वहां साफ़ हवा कैसे मिलेगी? pic.twitter.com/0Jv3WxsQbS
Key Points of Contention
- Stubble Burning: Kejriwal reiterated AAP's long-standing argument that stubble burning in neighboring states, primarily Punjab (where AAP is in power but largely blames the central government for solutions), Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, remains a primary contributor to Delhi's winter pollution. The BJP, which governs in Haryana and UP, has often been accused of not doing enough to address this.
- Industrial Pollution & Construction Dust: The CM pointed to inadequate enforcement against industrial emissions and unchecked construction dust, areas where central government agencies and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) (which was under BJP rule for many years) have significant roles.
- Vehicle Emissions: While the AAP government has implemented initiatives like the Odd-Even scheme, Kejriwal argued that the central government's delay in adopting stricter emission norms nationwide and promoting public transport infrastructure has hampered progress.
Delhi's Grim Reality
With visibility severely reduced and residents complaining of respiratory issues, schools have once again been advised to close, and construction activities halted. The Supreme Court has also weighed in, expressing "grave concern" over the recurring crisis and demanding urgent action from both central and state governments.
As the blame game continues, experts warn that without a unified, non-political approach, Delhi's residents will continue to bear the brunt of hazardous air quality every winter.
