Now playing: Politics over pollution

NEW DELHI: Political parties have crossed swords over the unprecedented pollution in the capital, with politicians from Delhi, Haryana and poll-bound Punjab blaming each other for the mess in the air and saying their own state has been wrongly demonised.
Weather scientists and Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal say blame paddy stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana for hazardous levels of air pollution in the capital. While Birendra Singh, steel minister and veteran politician from Haryana, has hit back saying a NASA image shows stubble fire concentration only in Punjab and not Haryana.

“In the satellite image released by NASA, it is clear that Haryana farmer is aware about environment. To take the name of Haryana in media reports is wrong,” Singh said on Twitter, where he also posted a NASA image showing locations of active fires on November 1. Punjab’s ruling party, the Shiromani Akali Dal, says its farmers cannot be blamed and the state has no role in polluting the national capital region. The official twitter account of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday said the Centre and Delhi’s chief minister should not blame farmers of neighbouring states for the capital’s smog.

“Blaming Punjab/Hry farmers won't solve pollution problem in Delhi. Pl learn from Sheilaji. Rise above blame game Mr Kejriwal &Mr Modi &act now,” said the tweet. Another political leader and spokesman of Youth Akali Dal, Gurmeet Monty Sehgal from Punjab has raised concerns of the odd and even vehicle formula which the Delhi government is exploring to implement in the coming days.

“He (Kejriwal) is trying to run away from his duties and making it a political issue as elections are going to be held soon. Since 2015, they (Delhi) have chalked plans to curb pollution and this year they put the entire blame on our farmers,” said Sehgal.