Arvind Kejriwal, National Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party and former Chief Minister of Delhi, visited flood-affected areas and relief camps in the national capital on Friday. He alleged that the BJP government is failing to deliver food supplies promptly and set up tents in flood relief camps.
At a flood relief camp in Shastri Park, Northeast Delhi, former CM Kejriwal remarked that if the central government can send relief materials to earthquake-hit Afghanistan, then timely aid should also reach Delhi flood victims. He urged the Rekha Gupta government to provide adequate relief materials to the flood victims.
Kejriwal told reporters, 'I see people are enduring hardships. They are not receiving meals on time. Mosquitoes are everywhere. It's raining, but tents were only set up yesterday. This is a natural disaster. We urge the government to provide facilities for the people. It is the government's responsibility to make adequate arrangements.'
Mismanagement in Flood Relief Camps: Kejriwal
The former Chief Minister also indicated that all of Delhi is grappling with waterlogging issues. He noted, 'Timely cleaning of drains hasn't occurred. In several areas, there is sewage backflow, and no potable water is available. I urge the government to provide facilities for the people. Where earlier relief camps were equipped with timely tents, mosquito nets, meals, drinking water, and doctors, today those camps reveal neglect and negligence.'
He added, 'Now, with BJP governments in Delhi, MCD, and at the Center, tents still weren't set up on time, people didn't receive food, clean drinking water isn't available, and those tormented by mosquitoes are forced to buy medicines themselves. People are frustrated that where issues were previously addressed in person by the CM and ministers, now no one seems to be paying attention. No responsible minister has come to assess the situation, nor has any concrete action been taken. A kind of administrative silence blankets everywhere.'
Keep Relief Efforts Above Politics: AAP
Kejriwal appealed to the Delhi and central BJP governments to view relief efforts above politics, as it is a humanitarian crisis, and delays mean more discomfort for the public. He also requested the central government to assist flood-affected northern states of India. It is noteworthy that during Arvind Kejriwal's tenure as Chief Minister, Delhi faced flooding in 2023 when the Yamuna rose to a level of 208.66 meters, submerging several areas and necessitating the relocation of over 25,000 people to safer locations.
