In a shocking move, former Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot joined the BJP after quitting Aam Aadmi Party, citing "grave challenges" within the party. He accused the party of prioritizing their own political agenda over fulfilling promises made to the people, including the transformation of Yamuna river. He also took a dig at AAP's leader Arvind Kejriwal, referring to controversies like the Sheeshmahal. Gahlot's move has raised doubts on whether the party still stands for the "aam aadmi" or common man.
Senior AAP leader Kailash Gahlot resigned from the party, citing unfulfilled promises and controversies. His resignation was accepted by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and comes as a major blow for the party ahead of next year's Assembly election. In response, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva launched a scathing attack on AAP, stating that Gahlot's allegations have validated the BJP's claims of the party's dishonesty and failure to deliver on key commitments. Sachdeva also questioned the handling of funds allocated for cleaning the Yamuna River, a key promise of the AAP government.
Over 3.5 lakh earthen lamps will be lit at Vasudev Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna river in New Delhi next week as part of the city's celebration of Dev Deepawali, Guru Purab, and the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda. Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena will attend the event and perform a Yamuna Aarti, while a captivating drone and laser show will also be part of the festivities. The recently redeveloped Vasudev Ghat serves as a testament to the L-G's commitment to rejuvenating the Yamuna and involving the people of the city in its conservation.
The Chhath puja celebration in Delhi's Geeta Colony took a disappointing turn as devotees were met with a dry ghat. Outraged by the lack of water, devotees staged a protest and demanded answers from the government. In response, the Delhi government made arrangements for puja at 1,000 different spots in the city, but did not allow the Chhat puja to be performed at the polluted Yamuna ghats. Amidst the chaos, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, JP Nadda, and Lalu Yadav were seen offering prayers at the Ganga ghats.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL challenging the Delhi government's ban on Chhath Puja celebrations at the Yamuna river banks. The court cited the high levels of pollution in the river and expressed concern for the health of devotees. Chhath Puja is a significant event for the Purvanchali community in Delhi, but the court stated that the river cannot be cleaned in one day and dismissed the PIL.
Experts are raising concerns about the state of Yamuna River in Delhi after it was covered in thick layer of white froth on Friday, with videos of the situation circulating on social media. According to experts, this is a result of the lack of significant flood spells during the monsoon season, which is unusual for the upper segment of the river. The ruling AAP has stated that steps are being taken to manage and resolve the issue, including the use of defoamers by officials. Meanwhile, environmentalists warn of health hazards as the festive season approaches.
With the continuous increase in water levels of Ganga and Yamuna rivers, low-lying areas in Prayagraj, including Chota Baghada, Ganga Nagar, and Draupadi Ghat, have been affected by flooding. The rise in water levels is due to additional water being released from upstream dams, and affected residents are being encouraged to move to safer locations if the trend continues. The district administration has taken measures to address the situation, including setting up relief camps and appointing officials to oversee rescue and relief operations.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a deeper understanding of Indian Buddhist history while paying respects to Buddha on his birth anniversary. He questioned why historical research on the Krishna river has been neglected in comparison to the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Cauvery. Kharge also expressed concern over the lack of interest in Buddhist thoughts among Indians, citing the higher number of foreign visitors to Sarnath, a site significant to Buddhism in India.