'Problem Not Natural': BJP Holds 'Matka-Phod' Protest, Blames Kejriwal for Delhi Water Crisis

New Delhi: As parts of the national capital continue to reel under water crisis, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday held a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging that the “water shortage in Delhi is not natural” and that latter is responsible for it.

Several BJP leaders participated in the 'Matka-Phod' protest against the Delhi government over the water shortage in Delhi. This comes a day after the Congress party, under the leadership of its chief Devender Yadav, held 'matka phod' protests across the city on Saturday with its members smashing earthen pots to the ground.

Newly elected BJP MP from New Delhi seat, Bansuri Swaraj alleged that AAP is behind creating water shortage and that the city is getting enough water from Haryana. It accused the AAP for JDB’s profits nosediving. Swaraj said that from gaining a profit of Rs 600 crores in 2013, the DJB has incurred a loss of Rs 73,000 crores in 2024.

Bansuri Swaraj said, "... This is not a natural problem, it has been created by the AAP. Delhi has sufficient water, and Haryana is releasing more water than agreed upon. In just 10 years, AAP has taken Delhi Jal Board from a profit of Rs 600 crores in 2013 to a loss of Rs 73000 crores in 2024..."

Swaraj also accused AAP of supporting the illegal water tanker mafia.

"The water crisis is not natural but is created by the AAP government, through which they do corruption and support the illegal water tanker mafia. The SC had asked them about what are they doing for water crisis and tanker mafia. They did not call all-party meeting despite IMD cautioning about the heatwave in March. They did not repair the infrastructure of DJB. A pipe had burst recently in GK, people kept on asking but they did not take cognizance. I made the complaint, it was repaired soon. There should be an intent," she added. 

Kejriwal responsible for water crisis, claims BJP

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva alleged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP government are responsible for the water crisis.. Sachdeva attributed the crippling weather crisis to water theft and wastage.

Sachdeva said, "If there is anyone responsible for the water shortage in Delhi, it is CM Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP government... The water shortage in Delhi is not natural. Delhi has requisite water reserves and Haryana is giving water in quantities more than it is bound to... Water theft and wastage is the basic reason why Delhi is short of water..."

Meanwhile, BJP MP from West Delhi Kamaljeet Sehrawat inspected a water pipeline in Dwarka amid the ongoing water shortage. Sehrawat said the pipes she inspected today were found broken which led to water wastage.

Sehrawat said, "We have been receiving calls from Dwarka RWAs and they have been coming to meet us with complaints of water shortage. Private water tankers are costing them a lot of money and they are unable to avail government tankers... The pipes that I inspected today are broken and a lot of water is being wasted... Delhi government is blaming other state governments for the water shortage whereas the problem lies within their department... I request Atishi not on humanitarian grounds, but as a Minister in the Delhi government, she needs to take care of her department..."

Last week, Atishi had appealed to Haryana to discharge additional water into the Yamuna river on humanitarian grounds. She had claimed there was a shortage of 70 million gallons per day (MGD) in the national capital due to the scarcity of raw water.