BJP protests over Delhi water shortage, slams AAP govt

New Delhi, Jun 19 (PTI) BJP leaders and workers took out protest marches across Delhi on Wednesday over water shortage in the city, slamming the ruling AAP dispensation for the plight of the people.

The BJP's Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva took part in the protest at Andrews Ganj, where he was accompanied by New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj.

Attacking the AAP government, Sachdeva said its free water scheme has proven to be a "sham".

"People are craving every drop of water. Women spend nights waiting for water tankers while children in many areas are not able to take a bath for days due to the scarcity," he said.

Several BJP MPs, MLAs and office bearers led the marches in different municipal wards around the city.

Swaraj alleged that despite AAP trying to escape its responsibility by adding a political colour to the water shortage issue, BJP leaders and councillors are putting pressure on the Delhi Jal Board to supply water through tankers.

North West Delhi MP Yogendra Chandolia, who took part in a protest march in Rithala, said it is unfortunate that the AAP government has not been able to provide water even after 10 years in power.

"We will raise this issue in Parliament so that the people of Delhi can get clean water," he said.

Leading a protest march in Kishan Ganj Colony, Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal said water supply in Delhi is dependent on tankers at present.

"People are forced to drink contaminated and foul-smelling water," he said and claimed more than half of the available water in the city is wasted.

Meanwhile, AAP leader and Delhi Water Minister Atishi said 28 lakh people in the city are not getting water due to the shortage and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to ensure the discharge of 100 millions gallons per day (MGD) from BJP-ruled Haryana to the national capital.

She also threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike from Friday if Haryana does not release water. PTI VIT VIT SZM