AAP mocks Rekha Gupta on 'AQI is temperature' remark; BJP strikes back
AAP mocks Rekha Gupta on 'AQI is temperature' remark; BJP strikes back
AAP trolls Rekha Gupta's 'AQI equals temperature' line, sparking a BJP counter-attack and a fresh round of Delhi political sparring.
Delhi's political duel over air quality science intensified after an AAP dig at Rekha Gupta's claim that AQI and temperature are the same. The party released a video showing an MLA measuring AQI with a thermometer while the Delhi president reacts in disbelief, hinting that residents are now measuring pollution with a thermometer. Gupta had previously used the phrase at a summit hosted by a news channel, prompting critics to question the science behind her remarks.
Responding to the jibe, a Delhi BJP spokesperson accused the AAP of mocking the Chief Minister and demanded answers to past governance choices, urging the opposition to address broader mistakes during Arvind Kejriwal's tenure instead of laughing off a single error. The BJP warned that failure to apologize could lead to a stiffer electoral response than previous losses in by-elections.
The controversy broadened when Kejriwal suggested there was a shift in what counts as science behind Gupta's claims, insinuating that water is sprayed at AQI monitors to keep readings down. Gupta defended the practice as a temporary measure used by previous governments to curb pollution hotspots. The exchange underscores how air-quality debates are intertwining with political narratives in Delhi, as parties argue about transparency, monitoring integrity, and the best path to long-term air cleansing.
Observers note that this back-and-forth could overshadow substantive policy discussions on tackling pollution, even as Delhi continues to confront health and environmental challenges tied to air quality.
Cover image source: ‘When did this new science come?’: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Delhi CM Rekha Gupta's ‘AQI is temperature’ remark 🔗
