New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) Following the cancellation of the scheduled pollution debate due to ongoing adjournments and disruptive conflicts between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi Assembly, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has called upon the Leader of Opposition Atishi and fellow AAP lawmakers to engage in the discussion set for Friday.

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, which was adjourned with minimal business conducted, Sirsa urged Atishi and all Opposition members to take part in the comprehensive debate on pollution planned for Friday.

“Avoiding the discussion does not yield solutions. It is crucial to participate in dialogue if we genuinely care about addressing pollution and informing the public,” Sirsa stated.

He expressed optimism that the Opposition would engage in the discussions, voice their opinions, and participate in a constructive conversation to ensure that the facts are conveyed clearly to the citizens of Delhi.

Sirsa indicated that the BJP-led administration aims to utilize the debate to “uncover” what he characterized as the failures of the previous AAP government in addressing pollution in the city over the past 11 years.

Clarifying the government’s position, Sirsa emphasized that the discussion is not about targeting any political party but is focused on accountability, transparency, and safeguarding public health.

“Pollution is not a political issue; it pertains to the health and well-being of millions of individuals in Delhi,” he remarked.

He added that pollution necessitates a truthful, earnest, and solution-driven debate. “Regrettably, during its 11-year tenure, the AAP government has utterly failed in terms of pollution control. The challenges currently facing Delhi are a result of years of policy stagnation, false promises, and evasion of accountability,” Sirsa alleged.

He noted the importance of informing the people of Delhi about the actions or inactions of the previous administration regarding pollution control over the last decade.

“In contrast, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, our government has implemented decisive and tangible actions within a mere 11 months, leading to the cleanest air days Delhi has experienced in several years,” Sirsa asserted.

Stressing the gravity of the situation, he pointed out that air pollution is directly connected to public health and should not be trivialized as a political dispute.

He mentioned that the session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly has been extended by one additional day to facilitate a thorough and meaningful discussion on pollution and its long-term remedies.

“A comprehensive discussion in the Assembly is vital to investigate the root causes of pollution, assess past failures, and delineate timely, sustainable solutions,” he stated.

Sirsa claimed that the House proceedings were frequently disrupted due to inappropriate remarks made by the Leader of the Opposition regarding revered Guru Sahibs, resulting in a loss of two critical days without any substantial discussion.

“Today was meant to be the final day of the session. However, our priority remains ensuring that a serious discussion on pollution occurs for the future of Delhi and public health,” he stated.

He expressed hope that the Opposition would engage constructively in the debate, share their perspectives, and also listen to the government’s stance so that the citizens of Delhi can comprehend who is accountable for the current conditions and what measures are being taken to address them.

Addressing the Opposition, Sirsa also noted that Leader of the Opposition Atishi had been absent from the House for the last two days, despite her repeated inquiries regarding the lack of discussion on pollution.

“When the opportunity for debate was available, she opted not to attend,” he remarked.