As dirty water and severe shortages plague the capital, women in Nangloi staged a matka phod demonstration against the BJP government. Led by AAP Delhi State Women’s Wing President Sarika Chaudhary, the demonstration demanded clean and adequate water from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Despite a so-called ‘four-engine government’, BJP continues to fail Delhiites on basic needs.
In a scathing criticism of the Rekha Gupta-led administration, AAP Delhi State Women’s Wing President Sarika Chaudhary highlighted the acute water crisis gripping Nangloi’s B Block. “In B Block, residents get water only for half an hour or one hour—and that too at 1 AM. The water is filthy and foul-smelling,” said Sarika Chaudhary.
She added that the supply is unfit for drinking, bathing, or household chores, rendering daily life impossible. “Women are bearing the brunt of this the most. Dirty water is making children, women, and men fall ill. People are asking: if there’s no water, what are we supposed to do?” she questioned.
Expanding on the state of basic services, Sarika Chaudhary underscored the deteriorating power situation. “Alongside the water crisis, there’s a severe electricity problem. B Block faces power cuts for 8 to 9 hours daily. Since Rekha Gupta took office, electricity and water supplies have nearly stopped,” she declared.
She also raised concerns about the denial of free bus rides to women—a key welfare provision in Delhi. “Women are being denied the free bus travel facility. When they try to board buses, they are being stopped. This situation has become unbearable for Delhi’s women,” she asserted.
Calling out a series of false promises, Sarika Chaudhary reminded citizens of the campaign commitments made by the BJP. “They had promised ₹2,500 per month for women and free gas cylinders, but both claims turned out to be lies. Not a single rupee has been given, and not a single gas cylinder has been delivered. In fact, cylinder prices have been increased by ₹50,” she said.
Highlighting the toll on working women, she added, “Women who step out for work live in constant fear of when the next water supply will come—or if it will come at all.”
Reflecting on the public’s disillusionment, the AAP Delhi State Women’s Wing President remarked on the high hopes many had placed in Rekha Gupta. “People thought that having a woman as Chief Minister would mean compassion for women and the poor. Since Rekha Gupta had been both councillor and corporator, people believed she would understand the pain of those living in jhuggis and low-income communities. The Rekha Gupta government is exploiting women. In just three months, Delhi is in chaos. Women have taken to the streets, demonstrating with empty pots,” she stated.
Meanwhile, local residents also condemned the administration for its alleged anti-poor actions. In the words of one community member, “Rekha Gupta’s government has made life miserable for the poor. In Ward 45, without any notice, ‘rehri-patris’ and small shops of poor families were bulldozed. Punjabi Basti has faced continuous demolition for four straight days. This heartless government has left the poor helpless,” they said, demanding the right to live and earn in peace.
Echoing widespread frustration, residents voiced a collective cry over worsening conditions. “Every person in Delhi is suffering—whether from electricity cuts, water shortages, unemployment, or the destruction of street vendors and small businesses. What kind of government is this that is destroying Delhi like this?” they asked. They called for an immediate end to anti-poor policies and urgent resolution of water and power issues.
