The debate over the Yamuna’s condition has taken another political turn. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Anurag Dhanda has gone after the Rekha Gupta-led BJP government, accusing it of painting a false picture of cleanliness along the Yamuna’s banks. The comments came just after Chhath Puja, when the arrangements at the river’s ghats were in the spotlight.
Dhanda questioned the government’s claim of having cleaned the Yamuna, saying that what was being shown to the public was far from reality. “They decorated the ghats for a few days, clicked pictures, and called it a clean river,” he remarked. “In truth, nothing has changed for the people living near the river.”
BBC Report Raises New Questions
The controversy deepened after Dhanda shared a BBC report highlighting the difference between artificially cleaned ponds at Vasudev Ghat and the polluted water flowing right beside them. The photos showed clear water at the temporary ponds built for devotees, while the actual Yamuna was still dark and toxic.
Calling it “a show for cameras”, Dhanda accused the government of spending money on optics instead of real cleaning. “They can whitewash a wall, not a river,” he said in his post that quickly went viral on social media.
A Direct Challenge to CM Rekha Gupta
Dhanda didn’t mince words while addressing Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, writing on social media, “BJP’s propaganda has been completely exposed by BBC. Rekha Gupta ji, say something at least!” The post was shared widely, with many users echoing his sentiment that the BJP government had created a make-believe image of success rather than addressing pollution at its root.
AAP Leaders Rally Behind Dhanda
The Aam Aadmi Party has now taken the issue head-on. Senior leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Manish Sisodia, and Atishi, have backed Dhanda’s criticism. The party claims that the BJP has made repeated announcements about cleaning the Yamuna but has failed to deliver any measurable improvement.
Kejriwal reportedly said that the government “needs to stop taking pictures and start taking responsibility.” The AAP leadership has also accused the administration of using religion and festivals to cover up governance failures, especially on pollution and waste management.
