The Delhi Congress has recently launched a strong critique against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, particularly targeting Chief Minister Atishi for her alleged failure to address the re-employment of nearly 10,000 civil defence volunteers, commonly known as bus marshals. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between the Congress and AAP, especially in the context of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Devender Yadav, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief, voiced his concerns, asserting that the AAP government is merely pretending to care for the sacked civil defence volunteers while failing to take any real action to rehire them.
He emphasised that the AAP's apparent sympathy is nothing more than a façade. Yadav pointed out that Chief Minister Atishi did not follow the directive given by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on October 24, which instructed the government to re-employ these volunteers by November 1, 2024, to assist in pollution control efforts.
In his statements, Yadav stressed that AAP legislators had previously made a significant fuss during a two-day session of the Delhi Assembly about the plight of the jobless marshals.
However, he argued that their government has failed to address this critical issue effectively. He noted that despite passing a joint resolution calling for the re-employment of the marshals dismissed by the Kejriwal government, no substantial progress has been made.
Yadav further criticised AAP leaders for what he described as theatrics during the Assembly, particularly recalling an incident involving Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who implored the Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta to accompany AAP leaders in discussing the marshals' situation with the Lieutenant Governor. Despite the promises made during the meeting, Yadav claimed that little has changed in the official documentation or in terms of actual policy.
The Congress chief highlighted that Atishi disregarded the letter from the Lieutenant Governor that explicitly instructed her to rehire the CDVs and bus marshals by the specified date.
Yadav interpreted this as clear evidence that the AAP government engages in political theatrics rather than genuine efforts to resolve the issues of air pollution and employment.
Additionally, Yadav took aim at both Atishi and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of failing to deliver on numerous promises made over the past decade.
He criticised their recent assurances to address outstanding tasks in the four months leading up to the Assembly elections, asserting that these commitments have largely remained unfulfilled.
He pointed out that the roads continue to deteriorate, air pollution levels are alarmingly high, and the water quality of the Yamuna River is severely compromised, especially with the Chhath Puja approaching.
Yadav concluded by expressing concern for the millions of devotees who will be participating in the Chhath Puja. He criticised the government for not taking adequate measures to create clean, dedicated ghats for the celebrations, thereby ensuring that devotees can perform their rituals in fresh and safe waters.
Follow us
