The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which once mocked the Arvind Kejriwal-led government’s ‘Artificial Rain’ proposal as an unrealistic fantasy, is now shamelessly copying the same idea to claim credit. When Arvind Kejriwal’s government pushed for scientific solutions to reduce pollution, BJP blocked every attempt. Today, the same party is making hollow announcements to mislead Delhiites, exposing their hypocrisy and double standards.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “Pollution, particularly air pollution, has always been a serious issue in Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal, being an educated engineer from IIT, ran a government that believed in scientific solutions. With that scientific approach in mind, we had suggested that by creating artificial rain, Delhi’s pollution levels could be brought under control during the critical months of November and December.”
He recalled how BJP had ridiculed the proposal, saying, “At that time, the BJP openly mocked this idea. They would dismissively say that artificial rain was nothing but Arvind Kejriwal’s unrealistic fantasy, his ‘Mungerilal ke haseen sapne.’ They kept questioning where in India artificial rain had ever been successfully conducted. They accused Arvind Kejriwal of wanting to waste public money and alleged that the proposal was merely an excuse to indulge in corruption. They left no stone unturned to oppose this plan both politically and administratively. The central government consistently denied permission for artificial rain in Delhi. It was clear that BJP did not want Delhi to get relief from pollution.”
Referring to the recent developments, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “On 19th June, just a few days ago, clouds had gathered over Delhi. The weather department had been saying that it might rain anytime. Even visually, it seemed that rainfall was imminent. Suddenly, the Delhi government under Rekha Gupta announced that artificial rain would be conducted within the next two to three days. I was shocked. When pollution is at its peak in October and November, what exactly are you trying to prove by conducting artificial rain now when it’s already the rainy season? The clouds are there, rainfall is expected naturally. So is this announcement about helping people, or is it about helping someone financially, or is it simply for cheap publicity?”
Exposing the farcical situation, he continued, “Eventually, the clouds drifted away with the wind, the sun came out, and no artificial rain was conducted. How could there be artificial rain when there wasn’t even real rainfall? This entire episode has turned Delhi into a laughingstock. The way this government is functioning, they’ve reduced the Delhi administration to the level of ‘Phulera ki Panchayat’, where they say and do whatever comes to mind without logic or planning.”
Taking a dig at the gimmicks, the AAP Delhi Unit Chief said, “Now that there are no clouds, the artificial rain project keeps getting delayed. And when it naturally rains someday, they will claim that artificial rain was conducted successfully. But everyone knows, during October and November, when Delhi faces severe pollution, there are no clouds. The entire logic of artificial rain is that you induce rainfall during dry periods to reduce pollution, not during the monsoon when it’s expected anyway.”
Questioning the scientific and administrative logic, he further said, “We had discussions with scientists too. They clearly advised that if you want to conduct a pilot for artificial rain to reduce pollution, the right time is October or November, when the situation genuinely demands it. But I fail to understand what desperation is forcing this government to rush artificial rain experiments during the monsoon, when nature is already doing its job.”
Calling out BJP’s hypocrisy, Saurabh Bharadwaj asked, “When BJP used to say artificial rain is an unrealistic fantasy, then why is their government copying Arvind Kejriwal’s proposal now? If they believed he wanted to waste public money, why are they doing the same? And earlier, BJP’s central government outright denied permissions. Now, after their party formed the Delhi government, the same permissions are being given overnight. This double standard is laughable, and Rekha Gupta owes an explanation to Delhiites.”
BJP manipulating pollution data by plating pollution meter machines in forests, fooling Delhiites with fake figures: Saurabh Bharadwaj
Responding to a media question Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Pollution levels in Delhi have automatically reduced. Whether you conduct artificial rain or not, even if you reopen the thermal power plants we had shut down earlier, pollution is still lower now.”
Exposing how BJP is manipulating pollution data, he said, “The machines that measure pollution — they’ve installed the new ones deep inside forest areas of Delhi. They’ve placed them inside JNU where there’s nothing but dense green trees, inside IGNOU, inside the Ridge area. These locations are far from roads, far from human activity, surrounded by greenery. Naturally, there’s hardly any pollution there. So, the machines show low readings, and BJP boasts that pollution levels have dropped.”
He added, “This is the same BJP logic — GDP figures might look impressive, but you may be jobless. They will fudge numbers and claim the economy is booming while people suffer. They want citizens to keep dancing to these fake figures, thinking all is well. This is a government of numbers — fake numbers are their first tool to fool the people.”
Recalling a recent incident, Saurabh Bharadwaj further added, “Just two or three weeks ago, I showed this live on TV. I opened my phone and showed the weather app reporting pollution levels over 500 right here in the office. But the Delhi Pollution Control Board’s (DPCC) official data showed lower levels. How is that possible? It’s because they’ve hidden the machines in places where there’s naturally no pollution. I’m saying — why not install those machines right inside the Chief Minister’s room? Let them run an air purifier and place the indicator next to it — their job will be done, and the air purifier brand will also get free publicity. Why go through the trouble of placing indicators deep inside forests?”
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