BJP Alleges Delhi CM Kejriwal Approved Ridge Tree Felling; AAP Counters

The BJP accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of approving the felling of trees in the Ridge area. During a press conference, BJP's Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva presented documents suggesting that both Kejriwal and Environment Minister Gopal Rai were aware of the tree felling. Sachdeva demanded the resignation of Rai and his colleague Saurabh Bharadwaj, who had blamed Lt Governor VK Saxena for authorising the tree felling.

AAP leaders have claimed that 1,100 trees were cut in the southern Ridge area on the verbal instructions of the lieutenant governor. They stated that while the Supreme Court was concerned about 1,100 trees, the BJP presented documents about 424 trees, which they said were unrelated matters. AAP alleged that the BJP was misleading people with questionable documents on a different issue.

Claims and Counterclaims

Sachdeva asserted that Kejriwal approved the tree felling in Chhatarpur on January 24 and remarked that the lieutenant governor was bound by the chief minister's advice. According to Sachdeva, Rai signed the file for felling trees on January 23, and it received Kejriwal's approval the next day. The document purportedly shows that Kejriwal and Rai were always aware of and approved the tree felling.

AAP questioned why the documents showing Kejriwal's approval for cutting trees, as claimed by BJP, were not presented in the Supreme Court. They asked why the lieutenant governor and DDA faced daily humiliation in court if they had all valid permissions. AAP has maintained that 1,100 trees were cut illegally in Delhi's Satbari forest, an eco-sensitive zone.

Discrepancies Highlighted

AAP argued that while the Supreme Court is investigating the felling of 1,100 trees in Satbari, BJP is presenting misleading information about 424 trees on a different issue. They accused BJP of spreading misinformation despite knowing about the illegal felling of 1,100 trees in Delhi's Satbari forest.

The party also highlighted discrepancies between what was being investigated by the Supreme Court and what BJP was presenting. AAP leaders pointed out that while the court was looking into 1,100 trees, BJP's documents only mentioned 424 trees.

Political Reactions

Sachdeva called for immediate resignations from Rai and Bharadwaj due to their accusations against Lt Governor Saxena. He claimed that documents clearly showed Kejriwal and Rai's involvement in approving tree felling. AAP leaders countered these claims by questioning why such documents were not presented in court if they were valid.

The controversy over tree felling has led to a political tussle between AAP and BJP. Both parties have accused each other of misleading information and questioned each other's actions regarding environmental concerns in Delhi.

The ongoing dispute between AAP and BJP over tree felling in Delhi continues to unfold with both sides presenting their versions of events. The matter remains under scrutiny as both parties defend their positions amidst allegations and counter-allegations.