"Can No More See Suffering Of Delhi People": AAP Minister Atishi To Sit On Indefinite Fast, Blames Haryana For Water Crisis

Delhi's Water Minister Atishi has pledged to sit on an indefinite fast from 21 June if the Haryana government does not release the required amount of water to Delhi.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi alleged that the Haryana government is releasing only 513 MGD water to Delhi, 100 MGD less than the regular supply.

According to her, 1 MGD (million gallons per day) of water is able to fulfill the daily water needs of 28,500 people and by releasing 100 MGD less water, the Haryana government is depriving 28 lakh Delhiites of water.

Atishi claimed that despite her repeated requests, the Haryana government did not agree to release the required amount of water and she then managed to convince Congress-led Himachal Pradesh to do so.

Atishi concluded her letter by stating, "I can't see people of Delhi struggling for every drop of water. I request your (PM Modi's) kind intervention in the matter to get water released from Haryana for Delhi."

"If water is not released, I will do Satyagraha and sit on an indefinite fast from 21 June. This will cause suffering to my body but I can no more see the suffering of the people of Delhi," she added.

Her allegations come despite the Supreme Court rap, where a vacation bench said, "Why were false statements made before this court? Water is coming from Himachal Pradesh then where is the water going in Delhi?"

The bench urged the AAP-led Delhi government to control tanker mafia and prevent wastage of water due to spillage while hearing a plea seeking a directive for Haryana to release surplus water.