In the midst of Delhi's ongoing struggle with hazardous air quality, a political battle has erupted following a letter from Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticized the LG's communication, calling it a diversionary tactic and accusing the BJP of failing to address the worsening environmental crisis.

Saxena's 15-page letter accuses Kejriwal's previous government of "11 years of neglect and criminal inaction" that have led to the current "emergency air situation" in the capital. He suggests that the AAP government focused more on publicity and political narratives than on addressing the everyday problems faced by residents, flagging concerns over air pollution, illegal construction, and a lack of basic civic services.

The AAP has responded sharply, questioning the timing and intent of the letter. AAP leaders have pointed out that Delhi is currently governed by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They argue that the LG should be directing his concerns and questions to the current administration rather than the former Chief Minister.

Anurag Dhandha, AAP national media in-charge, stated that the LG seems disconnected from the reality of Delhi's pollution crisis and has failed to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities. He also accused Saxena of using public appearances for media attention. Dhandha questioned why accountability isn't being sought from the BJP government in Delhi, especially given the frequent changes in pollution control measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions.

AAP spokesperson Ghanendra Bhardwaj noted that while Kejriwal was Chief Minister, the LG frequently questioned the Delhi government's decisions, but has remained largely silent on the actions taken by the present administration to tackle pollution. He suggested that the letter to Kejriwal was misplaced and should have been addressed to the current Chief Minister or the environment minister.

The AAP has further alleged that the BJP-led government in Delhi has not delivered concrete results on pollution control over the past several months. They claim that the LG's actions are part of a broader attempt to divert public attention from governance issues. The party has also accused the LG of acting against environmental interests in the past, citing the felling of 1,648 trees in an eco-friendly zone near Chhatarpur, an issue that is currently before the Supreme Court.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, however, has dismissed the AAP's allegations as misleading and politically charged. He said that the LG's letter exposed Kejriwal's "doublespeak on pollution".

The back-and-forth between the AAP and the LG comes as Delhi residents continue to suffer from severe air pollution. On Tuesday morning, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 414, placing it in the 'severe' category. The Delhi government has implemented GRAP Stage-IV, which includes measures such as deploying truck-mounted water sprinklers and advising residents to reduce outdoor activities.