Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari on Friday, 6 November 2026, held the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government directly responsible for the sharp deterioration in Delhi's air quality, alleging that large-scale stubble burning under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's administration had become the primary driver of the capital's pollution crisis. His remarks came a day after Delhi Environment Minister Ashish Sood levelled similar charges.

Key Allegations at the Press Conference

Addressing reporters, Tiwari accused AAP of having 'harmed Delhi in every possible way — whether it was water, the environment, or other issues,' during the party's tenure in the national capital. He alleged that stubble burning in Punjab had reached an unprecedented scale after 30 October, adding, 'The kind of stubble burning taking place after October 30 is unprecedented.'

Tiwari further claimed to have received fresh air quality data showing an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 1,435 from Punjab's Barnala district. 'You will be shocked to see it,' he told reporters. He alleged that other Punjab cities had recently registered AQI levels of 1,100, 900, and 1,200, attributing Delhi's worsening air to the seasonal wind pattern that carries particulate matter from Punjab eastward toward the capital.

Delhi AQI Trend: From 60 to 300 in Days

Citing what he described as Delhi's own AQI data, Tiwari claimed that through most of October, the city's readings had ranged broadly between 100 and 187, even dipping to 60 on 30 October. However, he alleged that the index surged rapidly thereafter, reaching 300 by 3 November — a trajectory he directly linked to cross-border stubble smoke. 'As the wind blows, pollution travels towards Delhi and further,' he said.

What Punjab Pollution Data Shows

According to a report by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), a total of 2,787 stubble burning incidents had been recorded across the state as of 5 November, under the CAQMS Monitoring and Enforcement Actions Report. Patiala alone accounted for 156 cases.

The Punjab government has imposed environmental compensation (EC) fines totalling ₹46.10 lakh in 914 cases, of which ₹24.85 lakh has been recovered. Authorities have also registered 710 FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and 'red entries' have been made in revenue records in 829 cases.

Political Context and Broader Pattern

The BJP's offensive is consistent with a pattern of Delhi-Punjab blame politics that intensifies each winter as the stubble-burning season peaks. This is the first post-election winter in which AAP no longer governs Delhi, sharpening the inter-state political dynamic. Notably, Punjab's own enforcement data reveals a government actively pursuing violators — a nuance that critics argue complicates the BJP's narrative of institutional inaction. The Supreme Court has previously issued directives on farm fire enforcement, and state compliance remains a contested benchmark.

What Comes Next

With peak stubble-burning season typically extending through mid-November, air quality in both Punjab and Delhi is expected to remain under severe stress in the coming days. The PPCB data and ongoing enforcement actions will likely face scrutiny from courts and central agencies. All eyes are now on whether the Centre steps in with emergency measures or leaves enforcement to the state machinery.