In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have come face-to-face over the cleaning of Yamuna ghats ahead of Chhath Puja. BJP retaliated against AAP's allegations, calling them a “political gimmick” and a “model of desperation.”
New Delhi: Ahead of Chhath Puja in Delhi, the political atmosphere has heated up concerning the cleaning and arrangements at the Yamuna ghats. A round of accusations and counter-accusations has begun between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While AAP accused the BJP of constructing artificial ghats and misleading the public, the BJP retaliated by calling it a "political gimmick."
Controversy Erupts Over Artificial Ghat on Yamuna Bank
AAP's Delhi President, Saurabh Bhardwaj, released a video of an artificial ghat adjacent to Vasudev Ghat on the Yamuna bank, stating that it is a mockery of devotees' faith. He alleged that a special ghat has been constructed in view of the Prime Minister's potential arrival, while common people will perform puja in the polluted Yamuna itself.
He claimed that pure water from the Ganga is being brought to the ghat via a pipeline from Sonia Vihar, which will be reserved for the Prime Minister and VIPs. Bhardwaj stated that the government is carrying out a cleanliness drive for show, but in reality, the Yamuna's water remains polluted today.
BJP Retaliates on Cleaning of Artificial Ghat
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva outrightly rejected Saurabh Bhardwaj's allegations. He stated that the Aam Aadmi Party has now become a symbol not of development, but of “political desperation.” The BJP has cleaned and organized the Yamuna ghats in eight months, providing genuine relief to devotees.
Sachdeva sarcastically remarked, “In the country, the opposition questions the lack of development, but in Delhi, the opposition is angry about cleanliness.” He alleged that “AAP” merely wants to create controversy and divert public attention from real issues.
AAP Government Accused of Stopping Chhath Puja
The BJP also stated that during the Kejriwal government's tenure, Chhath Puja was banned from 2018 to 2024 without any solid reason. This hurt the sentiments of the Purvanchal community in Delhi. Now that the BJP has restored the cleanliness and safety of the ghats, “AAP” finds this unacceptable.
Virendra Sachdeva questioned what administrative reason led to the ban on Chhath Puja for six years. He stated that Delhi's Bihari community now seeks answers to these questions.
Shankar Kapoor Taunts Saurabh Bhardwaj
BJP Media Head Praveen Shankar Kapoor taunted Saurabh Bhardwaj, saying that he has released a new version of “concocted stories.” Kapoor stated that Chhath Vrat is a festival of faith, cleanliness, and discipline, and it should not be made the center of political controversy.
The BJP claimed that this time, better arrangements for clean water, electricity, lighting, and security have been made at all Yamuna ghats. The party appealed to AAP not to turn religious festivals into a political stage and to respect the sentiments of the devotees.
