In a blistering expose, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj tore through the smokescreen of the BJP-led Delhi government, revealing how it first orchestrated the fuel ban on old vehicles to favour automobile tycoons—only to now feign resistance in the Supreme Court. What began as a policy stunt has ballooned into a full-blown crisis, dragging multiple neighbouring cities into chaos and placing 2 crore vehicle owners under siege. Saurabh Bharadwaj denounced the farce as a reckless betrayal—crafted in collusion, defended with lies, and destined to collapse under the weight of its own hypocrisy.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “The BJP government in Delhi has been relentlessly lying to the people. To cover one lie, they are now forced to tell a hundred more. They’re now caught in this web of deception—every lie they tell demands a hundred new ones to keep it hidden.”
He continued, “On March 1, their government had barely completed a week when BJP Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa publicly announced that from March 31 onwards, old vehicles would no longer be provided petrol. But by March 31, they weren’t ready. So they pushed the deadline to June 30 and said that post-June 30, petrol and diesel would no longer be supplied to old vehicles. They made loud public declarations.”
Highlighting public backlash, Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “Soon, people of Delhi began cursing them—on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Even their own supporters slammed them. When we held a press conference on the issue, the BJP government responded with more lies, claiming this was all due to High Court, Supreme Court, NGT, and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) orders.”
Calling out inconsistencies in the timeline and justification, he revealed that the CAQM’s letter is dated April 23, whereas Manjinder Singh Sirsa had made his announcement on March 1. The BJP government got tangled in its own cover-up. They wrote one thing to CAQM, and told the people of Delhi something completely different. They consider themselves very clever, and think the people are fools.”
Calling out the BJP-led government of misleading citizens, the AAP Delhi State President continued, “They told Delhiites that the decision was wrong—‘Just because a car is old doesn’t mean it causes pollution. Even new cars can pollute. Well-maintained old vehicles don’t necessarily cause pollution.’ Meanwhile, the LG was writing a different letter, saying people have an emotional connection with their old vehicles. All these conflicting letters were just tactics to fool the people.”
Explaining the contradiction, he said, “Listen to what they wrote to CAQM: ‘We fully agree with your decision. These are good steps. Our government stands with you.’ This was written by a Delhi government minister in a formal letter to CAQM, stating that the proposed measures were commendable and that the Delhi government fully supports them.”
He added, “But then they cite technical difficulties—issues with camera systems and the fact that neighboring cities like Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Sonipat are not implementing the same policy—so they suggested synchronizing implementation across all regions.”
Exposing the double standards, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “To Delhi citizens, they said one thing. To CAQM, they said another. And now CAQM has responded. They welcomed Delhi government’s commitment and confirmed that starting November 1, vehicles in Delhi as well as those in five other cities will be impounded. So not only did this government sink itself, it dragged five other cities down with it.”
Highlighting the expanded scope of the vehicle ban, he warned, “Earlier, the discussion was about scrapping 62 lakh vehicles. Now, cities like Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and even Sonipat are in the net. These people are so ‘smart’ they’ve turned this into a ‘Phulera Ki Panchayat’ —pulling their entire neighborhood into the mess. From 62 lakh, now 2 crore vehicles will be sent to scrap—just because of this so-called smart government and its foolish decisions. And because of this, they’ll face the heat in the Supreme Court as well.”
Saurabh Bharadwaj warned of legal consequences, adding, “Whatever public statements you’re making in the media aren’t your formal legal position. Your official position is what you wrote to CAQM—personally signed by Manjinder Singh Sirsa on behalf of the government. You said their initiative is excellent, that pollution will be reduced, and all cities should act together. Now how will you change your stand in the Supreme Court?”
He further added, “You’re trapped now. And with you, you’ve trapped 2 crore families—all due to foolishness. This is what this government keeps doing every single day. I don’t say it lightly when I compare this to a ‘Phulera Panchayat.’ This is worse than a Panchayat. These people don’t know what to do or how to do it. They write one thing here and another thing there. Is this how a government functions?”
Raising a direct challenge, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “I ask the BJP Chief Minister—do you think the Supreme Court is a fool? You’re writing one thing to CAQM, telling something else to the public, and planning to say something entirely different in Court. This is a clear-cut collusion with automobile manufacturers.”
Unpacking the motive, he revealed, “Why was this news even publicized with such fanfare? To instill fear in the minds of people from Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad—so they panic and buy new cars before November. You’ve hung a sword over the heads of 2 crore families, creating pressure to purchase vehicles by claiming petrol won’t be available after November 1.”
Saurabh Bharadwaj elaborated, “Until now, if petrol wasn’t available in Delhi, people could get it from Noida or Ghaziabad. Someone from Faridabad or Gurugram could refuel. Now, you’ve ruined it for everyone. No one will get petrol anywhere. This is a massive scam—one that directly benefits big automobile manufacturers. And the BJP’s nexus with these manufacturers is now completely exposed.”
On the futility of legal defense, Saurabh Bharadwaj challenged, “Now not even the Supreme Court can help. Let any top BJP lawyer come forward and explain how they will reverse the government’s official stand within a week in the Supreme Court. There’s only one option left now—the central government brings an ordinance to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Citing past examples, he said, “Just like the Centre brought an ordinance to override the Supreme Court’s verdict giving powers to the Delhi government in service matters. Just like they overruled the SC’s order on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner. Now, they’ll need another ordinance to overturn the CAQM policy that will impact Delhi and five other cities.”
Middle class, women, and senior citizens being targeted: Atishi
In a media interaction, senior AAP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, said the CAQM order has completely exposed the BJP. “This government is harassing Delhi’s middle-class families – whether it’s through higher electricity bills, regular power cuts, or soaring school fees,” she said. “Now, they are targeting the middle class, elderly, and women who buy second-hand vehicles through loans. From November, these vehicles will be seized from the roads and sent to scrap yards.”
Atishi added, “If the BJP was serious, they would bring a law or ordinance. We have said clearly – call a special session of the Parliament, and the Opposition will support it. But the BJP won’t do that, because it is colluding with car scrappers, vehicle dealers, and manufacturers. That’s why they want to remove 62 lakh vehicles from Delhi’s roads.”
