If you don't have a solution, then resign as CM: BJP to Kejriwal on Delhi pollution
New Delhi (PTI): BJP leaders on Wednesday demanded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation over his alleged failure to control pollution in Delhi and claimed that the city's air quality had improved after Diwali.
BJP MP and former Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari said the city's air quality index (AQI) levels were worse before Diwali. The AQI improved after the festival, showing that Diwali is not to be blamed for pollution in Delhi, he said.
"Before Diwali, the AQI was 330 and after Diwali this morning (Wednesday) it is 306. (This is) the benefit of bursting green crackers. So those who were blaming Diwali should now worry that if the pollution gets worse from now on then don't blame it on Diwali," Tiwari said in a tweet in Hindi on Wednesday.
Delhi's air quality improved on Wednesday morning due to favourable wind speed but it remained in the 'poor' category.
The AQI stood at 255 at 10.10 am, improving from 303 at 4 pm on Tuesday. It was recorded at 312 at 4 pm on Monday, the day of Diwali.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
The BJP's West Delhi MP Parvesh Sahib Singh, on the other hand, demanded Kejriwal's resignation for his failure to control pollution.
"Arvind ji, if your paid news is over on pollution, then also say something on it. Why are you telling so many lies everyday? If you do not have a solution to pollution, then leave the post of the CM," Singh tweeted in Hindi.
Singh's tweet was in response to pictures posted on social media that claimed Delhi's AQI had hit the 'very poor' category.
Reacting to the same pictures, party spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga said Diwali crackers were not responsible for Delhi's deteriorating air quality.
"No one was burning crackers yesterday (Tuesday). Once again proved Diwali is not responsible for Pollution in Delhi. Kejriwal failed to provide any solution in Delhi and just to save his image he was blaming Hindus and crackers. Kejriwal Model is Fraud, Kejriwal is Fraud," Bagga tweeted.
The air quality in the neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad (262), Noida (246), Greater Noida (196), Gurugram (242) and Faridabad (243) were in the 'moderate' to 'poor' category.
In the last two years, Delhi and its neighbouring areas witnessed severe air quality post Diwali, usually celebrated in November, with intense smog enveloping the region for days as stubble burning peaks during the month while low temperatures and calm winds trap pollutants.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
