AAP-BJP trade charges as odd-even scheme begins

As the odd-even road rationing scheme kicked in here on Monday, the ruling AAP and the BJP accused each other of doling politics over it and not making much efforts to combat air pollution.

Senior BJP leader Vijay Goel termed the initiative "an election stunt" by the Kejriwal government and violated the rule by driving an SUV with an odd last digit in its registration number. His action invited a rebuke from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who said he was pained by this behaviour.

"At a time when residents of Delhi are supporting the odd-even scheme, the BJP is opposing the efforts of people to reduce pollution. This is not right. The BJP should not do politics. They should support the people of Delhi," he told reporters at his residence before he carpooled with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and Labour Minister Gopal Rai to his office.

On his part, Goel alleged the Kejriwal government failed to do anything to curb pollution in the past five years.

"I am doing this as a symbolic protest against the Kejriwal government's failure to do anything in five years to curb pollution in Delhi. It is now enacting a drama. It's an election stunt in view of the coming assembly polls," he told reporters at his residence.

The 12-day odd-even rules kicked in on Monday, and the chief minister said he was getting reports that people were following it nearly 100 per cent.

Last week, a public health emergency was declared in Delhi-NCR following an alarming level of pollution which the AAP government said was because of stubble-burning in neighbouring states.

Reacting to Union Environment Prakash Javadekar's comment that the AAP government was busy spending on advertisements, Kejriwal said, "He (Javadekar) is doing politics. Our government's budget for advertisements is Rs 150-200 crore. Out of this, a good chunk is still unused. They spread lies."
On the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) convening a meeting on the rising level of pollution on Sunday, the deputy chief minister said, "The time for meeting has ended. We will certainly look into it but the Centre should also look into it."