Amid repeated instances of severe waterlogging in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors on Wednesday gheraoed the office of BJP Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh at the Civic Centre, raising loud slogans in protest. The demonstration, led by AAP’s MCD co-in-charge and former MLA Praveen Deshmukh, saw participation from all party councillors, including former Mayor Dr. Shelly Oberoi. They held banners and placards reading, “All four BJP engines drowned in water.”
AAP’s MCD co-in-charge and former MLA Praveen Deshmukh emphasised that just an hour of rain has thrown Delhi into chaos. Despite having four engines, BJP has failed to stop waterlogging. If Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh is unable to control waterlogging in MCD areas, he must vacate his chair.
Speaking outside the Mayor’s office, Praveen Deshmukh stated, “BJP has ruined Delhi. They boast of running a so-called ‘four-engine government’, but haven’t completed even four basic tasks. It is shameful that the capital is submerged due to waterlogging. An hour of rain has crippled Delhi—roads, lanes, hospitals, and schools are all under water. BJP has completely drowned Delhi, and they should be ashamed.”
He added, “BJP controls the Centre, Delhi Government, and MCD. Even the Lieutenant Governor (LG) is theirs. Yet, they can’t manage waterlogging. Even ministers’ residences are flooded, and still, they feel no shame. If Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh cannot get work done in Delhi, he should resign and let BJP appoint someone competent. Delhi cannot be abandoned like an orphan at the mercy of fate. People are suffering with hours-long traffic jams. Everyone saw the state of Connaught Place. People’s belongings were destroyed. Water entered shops in Sadar Bazar, causing losses worth lakhs.”
He further warned, “If BJP fails to act, we will escalate our demonstration. From the streets to Parliament, AAP will fight for the people of Delhi. We are fully prepared. Earlier, we raised our voice for jhuggi residents and people whose homes were demolished. We will speak up on every issue in Delhi. Waterlogging is a serious issue, and AAP is fighting this battle with full force.”
Former MCD Mayor Dr. Shelly Oberoi stated, “A few minutes of rain on Tuesday exposed BJP’s false promises. Their so-called ‘four-engine government’ has completely failed in Delhi. The BJP rules at the Centre, in the Delhi Government, and in the MCD. Even LG is theirs. It was clearly visible on Tuesday how their four-engine governance model has collapsed. From VVIP zones to residential colonies—there was water everywhere. Lanes turned into lakes. Roads became ponds. Even government hospitals were flooded.”
Dr. Shelly Oberoi added, “Today, Aam Aadmi Party wants to wake up the BJP from its slumber. Where is their Chief Minister? Where are their ministers who used to make big, false promises? Tuesday proved that BJP is solely responsible for the deterioration of Delhi. After the waterlogging, the people of Delhi were stuck in traffic jams for hours. Where did all of BJP’s tall promises go? What happened to their claims of efficient governance? It is now evident that the so-called four-engine government has completely failed in Delhi.”
She continued, “When it comes to BJP’s promises, there’s no need for further proof—what happened on Tuesday is enough. Everyone saw the condition of Delhi. Water was up to the knees. Lives were lost. This is the reality behind BJP’s promises. They only make grand statements—nothing but hollow, false slogans. Their government in Delhi has collapsed. In the coming days, it will be clear how the people of Delhi are going to reject the BJP.”
