The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a scathing attack on Delhi’s Water Minister Parvesh Verma for blaming Punjab for the city’s water crisis, calling his claim “laughable” and demanding his resignation for not even knowing the basic geography of the capital’s water sources. AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi Assembly, Atishi, pointed out that Delhi’s water comes from the Yamuna via the Munak Canal and the Ganga via the Upper Ganga Canal—neither of which flows through Punjab.
With full control of Delhi’s governance structure, AAP said BJP can no longer hide behind blame games. It called out the BJP for resorting to diversionary tactics to avoid holding its Haryana government accountable.
In a strong rebuttal to BJP Minister Parvesh Verma’s allegation that AAP is retaliating for electoral defeat by cutting Delhi’s water supply, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj retorted, “Delhi gets water from two rivers—the Ganga and the Yamuna. Maybe Parvesh Verma has studied a new kind of geography. He should either explain it himself or consult his school going children whether the Yamuna or the Ganga flows from Punjab. As far as we know, neither river comes from Punjab. So how has Punjab stopped the Yamuna or Ganga’s water? What are you even saying?”
He further stated, “Today the newspapers reported that the Indian government has blocked all water flowing to Pakistan. If that’s the case, and there’s now a flood risk, bring that water to Delhi and give it to Parvesh Verma. He often makes wild and baseless statements.”
Criticizing BJP’s earlier stance on Delhi’s water management, Saurabh Bharadwaj continued, “When Haryana used to stop water earlier, BJP would mock Delhiites. The Lieutenant Governor would say Delhi’s government doesn’t know how to manage water. They’d circulate videos of minor pipe leaks, saying water is being wasted. So now don’t waste water—provide it to everyone.”
Highlighting BJP’s full control of Delhi’s governance, the AAP Delhi State President concluded, “The problem now is that BJP cannot point fingers at Haryana anymore, because it’s their own government there. So now they’re looking for excuses. But excuses won’t work. The Centre is yours, Haryana is yours, MCD is yours, the LG is yours, and Delhi’s government is yours. So show us what you can do. And if not Punjab, tomorrow you’ll say Tamil Nadu blocked the water, or Kerala did because the Left is in power there. That’s not how governance works.”
Saurabh Bharadwaj slammed BJP MP Pravesh Verma, saying, “Before making new allegations, Pravesh Verma must explain what happened to the 450 suspension letters he had publicly prepared. He had marked every waterlogging point in Delhi with the name of a responsible officer, claiming that any location where water accumulates would see the officer in charge suspended. But after the first rainfall last week, Delhi was waterlogged, yet not a single officer was suspended. This proves his statements were nothing more than hollow bluster.”
PM Modi, who has already stopped the water going to Pakistan, should give that water to Haryana and meet its needs: Sanjay Singh
Meanwhile, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh hit out at the BJP’s central leadership, pointing out that it is indulging in petty politics over the water issue. He said, “The water meant for Haryana from Punjab has already been fully provided. The records clearly reflect that. These facts cannot be hidden. Every state has received its rightful share of water.”
He added, “When the AAP was in power in Delhi, the BJP discriminated against us. But Punjab has not done any such thing with Haryana. The Punjab government has given Haryana all of its due share. If Haryana now needs more water, then the Prime Minister, who has already stopped water going to Pakistan, should divert that water to Haryana. BJP must stop politicising this issue with such low-level
