Delhi choking, AAP makes cartoon on Gautam Gambhir skipping pollution meet

Continuing its criticism over Delhi BJP MP and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir escaping the pollution meet and attending Test match in Indore, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has on Saturday posted a cartoon on its Twitter page mocking the leader. In the cartoon, a man is seen feeding jalebi to another man representing pollution. The post was captioned saying that there should have been serious talks on Pollution and not on poha and jalebi. AAP has deliberately used a pun on the word "Gambhir" meaning serious, to mock the BJP MP.

Earlier on Friday, AAP challenged Gautam Gambhir to stop playing the blame game and attend the meetings. It also added that strict action should be taken on all the absentees, claiming it as Contempt of Court. The controversy broke out when former Indian cricketer and commentator VVS Laxman had earlier shared pictures with Gautam Gambhir in which they were seen eating 'pohe and jalebi' during the match. 

READ: Gautam Gambhir responds to critics amid Delhi pollution meet row

Meeting on air pollution

The meeting Gambhir didn't attend was of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development, which had to be postponed as three commissioners of MCD, Vice-Chairman of DDA, Secretary/Joint Secretary of Environment also did not attend.  Notably, 25 out of 29 members did not attend the meeting even as air quality deteriorated in the national capital of Delhi. Gambhir, however, defended his action saying that Delhi's pollution would not end if he  attended the meeting. Taking to Twitter on Friday to slam critics after he skipped a meeting, Gambhir highlighted his achievements and also mentioned what all he intended to do in the next 4.5 years of his tenure.

READ: Delhi: Air Quality remains at 'severe' category for 4th consecutive day

Air Quality in Delhi

As the capital continues to reel under hazardous air quality levels, the figures reportedly remained in the 'severe category' for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday, November 16. The AQI on Saturday, at around 10:00 am was 404. The severity of the situation can be assessed by the sight of Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Noida being engulfed by a thick blanket of smog. "The overall Delhi AQI shot up very fast towards the higher side of severe category mainly due to secondary particulate formation after Delhi experience slight drizzle which is always lethal as also happened in the first week of November," SAFAR stated.

READ: Delhi pollution meet row: Manoj Tiwari backs Gautam Gambhir amid criticism

READ: Gautam Gambhir faces AAP flak for skipping pollution meet & attending Indore Test