New Delhi: The Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a protest in the national capital on Friday, May 31, against the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government over the preaviling water crisis. Delhi is facing acute water shortage, forcing the residents to depend on water tankers for water supply, amid unprecedented summer heat with temperatures hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark in parts of the city.

BJP held a march from Shahidi Park to Delhi secretariat over water crisis in the national capital. Led by Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, the protesters carried placards and raised slogans against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. On Thursday, BJP Mahila Morcha office bearers held a protest outside Delhi minister Atishi's residence over the water crisis in the city 

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that the water crisis has been ‘manufactured’ by the AAP government in order to aid the tanker mafias. Sachdeva also alleged corruption involved in supply of water in the city through tankers. 

"Water crisis in Delhi is a result of mismanagement of Arvind Kejriwal... They are imposing a fine of Rs 2000, it's not a fine but another way of doing corruption. They are encouraging tanker mafias... Every MLA of Arvind Kejriwal along with tanker mafias are selling water to the people of Delhi and looting them..." said Sachdeva, as quoted by ANI.

BJP leader and New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Bansuri Swaraj said that the AAP government must be held accountable for the water crisis in the national capital. “AAP government has created an artificial water crisis. Delhi Jal Board was in the profit of Rs. 600 crores in 2013. Currently, it is in the loss of Rs. 73,000 crores. Arvind Kejriwal's government should be held accountable,” said Swaraj. 

AAP Moves Supreme Court 

The AAP has earlier claimed that the national capital is facing water shortage due to BJP-ruled Haryana stopping Delhi's share of Yamuna water. The AAP also approached the top court over the same. The AAP government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking extra water release from neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. “Delhi's need for water has increased in the scorching heat. It is everyone's responsibility to fulfill the needs of the country's capital,” said the AAP government in its petition. 

Delhi Water Minister and AAP leader Atishi had accused Haryana of not releasing Delhi's share of water since May 1. 

Water Crisis in Delhi

With major parts of the national capital being hit by acute water shortage, people are forced to wait in long queues in places in Chanakyapuri's Sanjay Camp area and Geeta Colony. The residents have alleged that the  tankers come and go without adequately serving the large populations in the colonies, while the residents struggle to fill even one bucket. 

Despite submitting applications to the government regarding water shortage, the residents complain that their pleas go unnoticed. Residents of Geeta Colony in East Delhi have expressed their dissatisfaction with the insufficient water supply provided by the government, reported ANI. 

Rudal, a resident of the Geeta colony complained, "It has become a very big problem, only one tanker comes and the colony is so big. We have written two applications to the government but who listens to the poor? We have to buy the water to drink it. One bottle costs us 20 rupees".