Express News Service
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) asked CM Arvind Kejriwal to apologise to Punjabis for launching a defamation campaign by holding them responsible for Delhi’s air pollution status. The SAD said due to this defamation by the AAP Convenor, Punjabis were being heavily penalised and have had to even face the Congress Government following Kejriwal’s lead, instead of providing any alternative to reduce stubble burning.
SAD Spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said, “This twin attack on the innocent farmers of Punjab led by Kejriwal and supported by the state Congress government was aimed at painting our farmers as villains when the truth is completely different. After it had become clear that most of the air pollution in Delhi was caused by the industrial and transport sector, and that stubble burning only contributed a tiny four to 10 per cent to this pollution, Kejriwal owed an apology to the farmers of the State.”
Cheema said Kejriwal had been thoroughly exposed by the Supreme Court for mouthing lies about farmers being responsible for Delhi’s air pollution. He said the apex court had also rightly pointed out to the politics being played on the issue of pollution by Kejriwal by highlighting how public money was being spent on popularity slogans. “It is also a fact that the Delhi government could not enumerate the steps it had taken to improve the quality of air in Delhi,” Cheema said.
