"If tanker mafia is taking out water from Delhi, then why not Atishi?: Manoj Tiwari

New Delhi [India], June 13 : Amidst the water crisis in the national capital, BJP's newly elected MP from North East Delhi, Manoj Tiwari, came down heavily on Delhi Water Minister Atishi and criticised her for blaming other states over the issue.
Tiwari questioned Atishi that if tanker people are getting water, why not the government is able to get it?
Speaking with ANI, Manoj Tiwari said, "Atishi has the Water Department, she cannot cry that there is no water in Delhi because the tanker mafia is taking out water from Delhi and giving it to the people, they are not filling the tanker with water from Haryana."
He added further, "The tanker people get water but why is she (Atishi) not getting water?... During this time, Delhi is also being given more water from other states but the pipes have not been repaired even once in 9-10 years, there is leaking in the pipes, the gutter water is getting mixed in the pipes. How can you blame others for that?"
The BJP leader said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been running the government for the last nine years and Atishi is still giving reasons.
"You can try to throw this issue on others but providing water is the job of the Delhi government. However, you (AAP) have only looted...," he said.
Tiwari stepped up his attacks on Atishi and said that she should be ashamed that talking about providing water to the people of Delhi feels like an insult to her.
"The Lieutenant Governor and Supreme Court are saying that the government should give people water. This means that when we are telling you to provide facilities to the public, it seems like abuse to you. If we raise the problems, you feel that we are abusing you," the BJP leader said.
Notably, the Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the Delhi government over tanker mafias and wastage of water in the national capital and asked the AAP government to file an affidavit explaining measures taken by it to prevent loss of water in the national capital.
A vacation bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Prasanna B Varale took strong objection to the tanker mafias in the national capital and asked the Delhi government what action they have taken against tanker mafias.
The bench also said that if Delhi government can't take any action against tanker mafias, then it will ask Delhi police to take action against tanker mafias.
The top court asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit on measures taken to prevent water loss and said that the affidavit may be filed today or tomorrow before the hearing. The court also deferred the hearing for June 13.
Citing media reports or coverage of the Delhi water crisis, the bench said, "People are suffering, we are seeing visuals on all news channel. What measures have you taken to control water wastage if water scarcity is a recurring problem in summers."
In the past week, Delhi has faced a severe water shortage, hindering the daily life of residents. The crisis stemmed from a combination of reduced water levels in the Yamuna River and technical issues at key water treatment plants. This disruption has left several areas with little to no water supply, forcing people to rely on tankers and borewells.