Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs on Wednesday continued their protest outside the Assembly as part of an attempt to “expose” the BJP government for allegedly failing to address a “deepening” gas crisis in the Capital.
The BJP responded, saying the statements by AAP and Congress leaders over gas cylinder supply were comparable to “anti-national activities”.
“The entire country is paying the price for Prime Minister Narendra Modi surrendering before [U.S. President] Donald Trump. People are being forced to stand in endless queues for gas cylinders. The BJP promised free cylinders on Holi and Deepavali, but instead, cylinders have disappeared from across the country,” said Leader of the Opposition Atishi.
She said the Prime Minister’s “silence” on the issue has worsened the situation. “ His voice has fallen silent, and the consequences are being borne by the people of Delhi and the entire country. The entire nation is asking where that ‘56-inch chest’ has gone,” Ms. Atishi said. AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh alleged that party legislators were being stopped from entering the Assembly to prevent discussion on the recent Palam fire incident and the gas shortage.
In his response to the allegations, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the shortage was a result of tensions in the Gulf region and it was “unfortunate” that the Opposition parties were trying to gain political mileage during a difficult situation. “The Centre, through timely policy measures from the very beginning, has significantly reduced the impact of this shortage. Today, almost everyone in the country is receiving regular gas cylinder supply after booking,” Mr. Sachdeva said.
