Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday asked residents of the national capital to refrain from bursting firecrackers and light diyas in Diwali, noting that Deepavali is a festival of lights and not firecrackers.

Addressing a press conference, the former Chief Minister said, “Even the Supreme Court and High Court have said that, in light of the pollution, we should refrain from bursting crackers and instead light diyas. This is the festival of lights, not fireworks. It is not about doing anyone a favor. The pollution that occurs will impact our children, so this issue transcends religion. Every life is important.”

This statement comes amid rising air pollution in the national capital. Delhi’s air quality has worsened over the past several days, prompting the Delhi government to implement measures aimed at controlling air pollution, including a crackdown on firecracker usage.

Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has written to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, urging him to take strict action against violations of the firecracker ban in the national capital.

On October 14, Rai announced a ban on the production, storage, distribution, and use of firecrackers in the city until January 1, 2025.

In his letter, Rai expressed concern that, despite the ban, firecrackers were being openly sold in various markets in Delhi. He noted that these firecrackers were being transported across borders connecting Delhi to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Rai indicated that the Delhi Police, as law enforcement agencies, appeared to be neglecting the directions to enforce the firecracker ban, allowing vendors to openly flout the restrictions.

As of Tuesday, a thin layer of smog covered the National Capital, with parts of Delhi’s air quality remaining in the ‘very poor’ category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 300 around 7:00 am. At Anand Vihar, for instance, the AQI reached 317, while Aya Nagar recorded an AQI of 312—both in the ‘very poor’ category. Jahangirpuri also had a high AQI of 308. In contrast, Chandni Chowk reported better air quality, at an AQI of 191, which is considered ‘moderate.’

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP leaders noted that 108 incidents of stubble burning were recorded in Punjab. They protested against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding air pollution concerns at Kapurthala House. A delegation of leaders sought a meeting with the Punjab Chief Minister to submit a memorandum but was unable to meet him.

RJD MP Manoj Jha said on Wednesday that the Election Commission of India has become a part of the agenda after the election body rejected the Congress allegations about irregularities in the recently concluded Haryana Assembly elections.  

Hitting out at the Election Commission, the Rajya Sabha MP said that the ECI must be the custodian of a free and fair election, not the custodian of any machine, not of any paper.

“Congratulations to the Election Commission for being included in the agenda. When the structure of Article 324 was conceived, it was not conceived in the form of a machine or paper custodian but in the form of a free and fair election,” he said.

He added, “If you have even 1% doubt, then what stops you from going back to the ballot? I would like to say that the Chief Election Commissioner, you are the custodian of a free and fair election, not the custodian of any machine, not of any paper.”

The RJD leader’s comment came after ECI rejected allegations made by the Congress party regarding irregularities in the recent Haryana elections, labelling them as baseless, misplaced, and devoid of facts.

In a letter to the Congress party, the Commission urged them to refrain from making unfounded claims after every election, accusing the party of creating generic doubts without substance.

The Election Commission of India has advised Congress to implement strict measures to prevent irresponsible allegations, especially during sensitive periods like polling and counting days. Such claims could lead to public unrest, turbulence, and chaos.

The ECI highlighted five specific cases from the past year and urged Congress, a national party with significant experience, to practice due diligence and refrain from making habitual, evidence-free criticisms of the electoral process.

After a thorough re-verification by returning officers of all 26 contested Assembly constituencies, the ECI wrote to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, confirming that every step in the Haryana electoral process was executed flawlessly and was monitored by Congress candidates or their agents.

In response to Congress’s concerns about the EVM battery display, the ECI clarified that the battery’s voltage and capacity do not affect the voting functionality or integrity of the EVMs.

“The battery status displayed on the control unit is solely for technical teams to monitor power levels, ensuring smooth operation during polling,” the ECI stated.

Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections, a cold war between uncle and nephew has broke out, with Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar hitting back at Sharad Pawar on Wednesday saying it was not right on the part of NCP (SP) supremo to do so as he had got emotional while remembering his mother.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that he has always considered Sharad Pawar a god but after such an act by such a veteran, seasoned and experienced leader, it was in a bad taste. “Many people did not like it after he mimicked me. It would have been alright if it had been done by Yogendra Pawar, who is the NCP(SP) nominee against Uncle Ajit Pawar in Baramati, or others,” he said.

“I got a bit emotional after taking my mother’s name. I broke into tears and it was a natural one. Sometimes it happens. I did not take out my handkerchief but he did that,” Ajit Pawar added.

“For so long I thought that only Raj Thackeray mimics but yesterday ‘Saheb’ (Sharad Pawar) mimicked me,” the Deputy CM said. He reiterated that his estranged uncle should not have done it saying “I really feel very bad”.

Sharad Pawar on Tuesday mimicked Ajit Pawar at a rally in Pune district’s Baramati Assembly constituency.

Earlier on Monday, after filing his nomination from Baramati, Ajit Pawar became emotional while addressing a rally. He claimed that Sharad Pawar had caused a rift in the family and ran Yugendra Pawar against him.

“I previously admitted to making a mistake, but it seems like others are now making errors too. My family and I had agreed to file the form in Baramati first, but that didn’t happen. Despite the challenges, we managed to improve the situation. My mother has been very supportive, and she even advised that they should not nominate anyone against Ajit Pawar. However, I was told that Saheb (Sharad Pawar) instructed someone to file a nomination against me. Saheb created the split within the family. I just want to say that politics should not be brought to such a low level because it took generations to be united and it doesn’t take a single moment to break the family,” Ajit Pawar said.

In a viral video, Sharad Pawar could be seen mimicking Ajit Pawar by taking off his glasses and wiping his face with a handkerchief. This action elicited a massive cheer from the crowd gathered at the rally.

He added, “Be it Ajit Pawar or Yugendra Pawar, everyone has the right to contest elections in a democracy. It should be contested peacefully and try to put forward your policies before the public.” The former Union Minister also highlighted the importance of a peaceful election process and clear communication of policies.