Protests greet Delhi’s Water, PWD Minister in Sriniwaspuri
Mounting anger over frequent power cuts and poor water supply in the capital boiled over on Saturday as residents of Sriniwaspuri staged a protest during the visit of Delhi’s Water and PWD Minister Parvesh Verma. Protesters accused the BJP-led Delhi government of failing to ensure basic services, while the Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders sharply criticised the minister for allegedly avoiding public interaction.
The Aam Aadmi Party shared that the residents, including many women, tried to approach the minister with bottles of contaminated water to highlight their grievances. However, Delhi Police, deployed in large numbers, allegedly pushed the crowd back, preventing them from reaching the minister. The incident has drawn sharp reactions from AAP leaders, who claimed that the BJP government is growing increasingly disconnected from the people.
“The public, troubled by the continuous power cuts in Delhi, has now taken to the streets. There is a ‘Halla Bol’ against the Chief Minister and his ministers,” said Atishi, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly. She alleged that BJP ministers are unable to face public scrutiny and have to rely on police protection while visiting localities.
Atishi also questioned the use of police force to block residents trying to voice their concerns. “Why are BJP ministers so afraid to meet common people,” she asked, pointing out that Sriniwaspuri has been receiving dirty water for over a month.
Former CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also weighed in on the issue, sharing a video of the protest on social media and commenting, “In just two months, look at what they’ve done to Delhi.”
Many AAP leaders, including Adil Ahmed Khan, Vandana Sinha, Omkar Yadav and Pardeep Lohan, took to social media to amplify residents’ complaints and accused the BJP of misgovernance. “Within two months, Delhiites have lost faith in the BJP government,” Khan wrote.
Reports of power cuts have flooded social media in recent days, with residents from Budh Vihar, Sangam Vihar, Palam Village, Old Rajendra Nagar, Laxmi Nagar and several other areas tagging government officials and demanding immediate action.
Local women in Sriniwaspuri expressed frustration over being blocked from meeting the minister. “How are we supposed to drink such filthy water? Drinking this can make our children sick,” said one resident holding up a bottle of murky tap water.
AAP leaders further claimed that the BJP’s promise of better governance has fallen flat, with basic utilities like electricity and clean drinking water becoming major concerns just two months into their tenure. “Delhiites are remembering how there were no power cuts during Arvind Kejriwal’s tenure. They now feel that voting for the BJP was a mistake,” Atishi said.
