Saxena claimed that the Kejriwal-led government failed to take Delhi’s air quality seriously during its 11-year tenure, leading to a steady deterioration in pollution levels. He alleged that Kejriwal had once dismissed the issue as an annual occurrence that attracts temporary attention from activists and courts before being forgotten.
The Lieutenant Governor also claimed that communication between the two broke down after AAP’s defeat in the Delhi elections. “I could have discussed these matters with him over the phone or in person,” Saxena wrote, alleging that Kejriwal stopped meeting him and even blocked his mobile number.
The letter triggered a sharp response from AAP leaders. Late Tuesday night, senior party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj posted on X, saying the party possessed “several videos and documents” related to the LG’s alleged “misdeeds.” “The day I start showing them, you won’t find a place to hide your face,” Bhardwaj wrote, adding that he was waiting for the “right time.”
In his letter, Saxena accused the AAP government of criminal negligence not only on pollution but also on infrastructure, water supply, education, health services, and governance. He alleged that while blaming neighbouring states and the Centre for Delhi’s air quality, the AAP failed to address dust pollution—one of the largest contributors to PM10 and PM2.5 levels. According to the LG, roads and footpaths remained unrepaired for years, worsening dust emissions across the city.
The LG further alleged that key public transport and infrastructure projects, including Delhi Metro Phase-4 and the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), were deliberately stalled. He claimed that the delivery of centrally funded electric buses was delayed because the AAP government insisted on displaying images of its leaders on the vehicles.
Saxena also raised concerns over water management, alleging that nearly 58 percent of Delhi’s water was wasted during transmission. He said drains and sewer lines were not de-silted for over a decade, leaving 80 to 90 percent clogged, leading to waterlogging and further pollution. The Wazirabad reservoir, he claimed, has lost up to 96 percent of its capacity due to silt accumulation.
Questioning AAP’s claims on education and health, the LG alleged that the government exaggerated achievements by counting toilets as classrooms and failed to build even a single new hospital in a decade, while spending heavily on advertisements. He also accused the previous government of weakening democratic processes by not holding regular cabinet meetings and failing to table CAG reports in the Assembly.
Saxena said that over the past three and a half years, and particularly in the last 10 months, efforts have been underway to address these issues, but alleged that Kejriwal was now indulging in “petty politics” and obstructing governance.
AAP has not issued a detailed point-by-point response to the allegations so far. The public exchange underscores the deepening confrontation between the LG and the AAP leadership, even as Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution and growing pressure for long-term solutions.
