A wearisome spectacle of buck-passing takes place every time disaster hits New Delhi. Whether it’s the oxygen crisis during Covid, air pollution, or the heaviest rainfall in forty years, every crisis sees an angry war of words between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government and the Centre-appointed Lieutenant Governor. Every time the same questions are asked — who is in charge and who is accountable? In Delhi street lingo, Dilli ka Big Boss kaun?
During the recent Delhi floods, when an overflowing Yamuna returned to its 19th-century course and lapped at the walls of the Red Fort, the AAP government blamed the Haryana BJP government for a “conspiracy” against Delhi. It alleged that by releasing water from Haryana’s Hathnikund Barrage it was “trying to ensure a flood-like situation”. The AAP also targeted the Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena and bureaucrats for delayed responses. The BJP in turn blamed the AAP for “inaction” and “corruption” and demanded that the Chief Minister “apologise.”
