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Delhi pollution: Environment minister apologises, blames AAP as AQI stays very poor

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised for pollution but blamed AAP for the crisis, saying air quality cannot be fixed in months as AQI remains very poor.

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Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday apologised to residents for the city’s worsening air quality but squarely blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the pollution crisis, saying the problem could not be resolved within months.

Calling pollution a “disease” inherited from the previous dispensation, Sirsa said it was “impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9–10 months”. He claimed the BJP-led government was working to address the issue and asserted that the air quality index (AQI) had shown daily improvement.

“I apologise for the pollution in Delhi,” the minister said, adding that the present government was doing “better work” compared to what he termed the “dishonest” AAP administration.

Air quality remains very poor across the city

Sirsa’s remarks came as Delhi continued to reel under very poor air quality conditions, though the situation improved marginally from the “severe” category that prevailed between December 13 and 15.

According to official pollution monitoring data, Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 381. Wazipur recorded the highest AQI at 434, followed by Jahangirpuri at 430. Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar also remained in the severe category.

In November, the capital had experienced prolonged spells of severe pollution, with AQI levels staying in that range from November 11 to 26.

Political blame game intensifies

The pollution crisis has triggered a sharp political face-off between the ruling BJP and the opposition AAP. AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not addressed the issue publicly, while the Congress demanded an immediate discussion on air pollution in the Lok Sabha.

The controversy escalated further after Singapore issued an advisory for its citizens in India over Delhi’s air quality. Bhardwaj shared the advisory on social media, calling it an “international embarrassment”.

Responding to this, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said such advisories were routine whenever pollution levels rise. He also took a swipe at the AAP, recalling that during earlier years, some foreign governments had reduced posting durations for their staff in Delhi and designated the city as a “no family station”.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister and senior AAP leader Bhagwant Mann rejected allegations that his state was contributing to Delhi’s pollution. He said the AQI in Punjab cities ranged between 70 and 100, significantly lower than that of the national capital, and urged the Centre to stop blaming Punjab.

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Blasts outside defence establishments in Punjab within 2 hours trigger security alarm

Two explosions near defence-linked locations in Punjab within two hours have triggered alarm and heightened security across the state.

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Two explosion incidents reported within a span of around two hours near key defence-linked locations in Punjab have raised serious security concerns and triggered political reactions.

The first incident took place near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar, where a blast involving a delivery scooter was reported in a populated area. The proximity of the explosion to a sensitive security installation immediately drew the attention of authorities.

Shortly after, another blast was reported near a military-linked area in Amritsar, further heightening concerns over security preparedness in the border state. Police and security agencies responded swiftly, deploying bomb disposal squads and forensic teams at both locations.

Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported in either incident. However, the back-to-back nature of the explosions caused panic in nearby areas and prompted authorities to place the state on high alert.

Political leaders reacted strongly, questioning the handling of security and pointing to possible lapses. They urged authorities to take preventive steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

Punjab, being a strategically important border state, remains sensitive to such developments. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the explosions and whether there are any links between the two incidents.

Security has been tightened around key installations, with agencies assessing whether the blasts were isolated events or part of a broader threat.

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Retired bureaucrats appointed by Mamata Banerjee barred from Bengal offices ahead of BJP government formation

Retired bureaucrats appointed under Mamata Banerjee have been barred from government offices as West Bengal prepares for a BJP-led administration.

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In a significant administrative development following the West Bengal Assembly election results, several retired bureaucrats appointed during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee have reportedly been barred from entering state government offices.

The decision comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in the state after securing a decisive mandate. The move is seen as part of the transition process as the outgoing administration makes way for the incoming regime.

Officials indicated that the restrictions apply specifically to retired personnel who had been given contractual or advisory roles under the previous government. These individuals have now been asked not to access offices or handle official work.

The development follows a broader directive issued by the state administration to ensure that no official documents or records are removed, damaged, or tampered with during the transition period. Authorities have emphasised strict accountability, placing responsibility on departmental heads to safeguard files and maintain proper records.

The political backdrop to this move is the sweeping victory of the BJP in the 2026 West Bengal elections, marking a major shift in the state’s political landscape after years of Trinamool Congress rule.

With the new government expected to take charge soon, administrative reshuffling and tightening of access to government infrastructure are being viewed as measures to ensure a smooth and transparent handover of power.

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Vijay expresses gratitude to Modi, Rahul Gandhi for congratulatory messages after poll victory

Vijay thanked PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi after his party’s strong Tamil Nadu poll performance, promising governance focused on public welfare.

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Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for congratulating him on his party’s strong performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.

Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), acknowledged the wishes shared by both leaders following the party’s impressive electoral debut, which has significantly altered the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the Prime Minister on social media platform X, Vijay said that his party’s focus would remain on public welfare and development. He emphasised that governance should rise above political differences and aim at improving the lives of the people.

“The well-being of our people remains our only goal… we shall focus on the state’s progress and welfare,” he said, while also expressing hope for support from the Union government in achieving these objectives.

The TVK has emerged as a major political force in the state, breaking the long-standing dominance of traditional parties and marking a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics.

According to early developments, the party has staked claim to form the government and may seek additional support if required to prove its majority in the assembly.

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