Chikungunya outbreak: After 11 deaths, AAP pitches for One Delhi

The chikungunya outbreak in Delhi claimed six more lives, taking the total number of deaths to 11. Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain will hold a crisis management meeting soon to tackle the menace. A day after intense bickering over chikungunya deaths with the BJP-ruled civic bodies, the ruling AAP pitched for ‘One Delhi’ as it extended “olive branch” to the Opposition, saying the health crisis has to be tackled together.

In line with the party’s emphasis to “rise above politics” and “bridge differences”, Water Minister Kapil Mishra was joined by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari during a fumigation drive in north east Delhi’s Sonia Vihar area on Wednesday afternoon.

Mishra also quoted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as having said “no matter what”, various agencies and political parties will have to work together to tackle chikungunya that has claimed several lives in Delhi this season.

The political cool down came a day after Kejriwal said Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be “questioned” over the issue as “all powers” regarding the city’s governance “rest with them”.

Striking a conciliatory note, Mishra said the “barriers” among the Delhi government, the Lt Governor, the civic bodies and the Centre should be “brought down” in favour of “one Delhi” as “passing the buck” would only trouble the residents of the national capital.

“We have to fight these diseases together, forgetting politics. No matter what, we will have to be united in eliminating these diseases and mosquitoes,” Mishra quoted Kejriwal as having told him.

“Delhi’s seven MPs, 70 MLAs and 272 municipal councillors can do it together by hitting the streets and undertaking fogging exercises wherever possible. In fact, the MPs should lead the programme and guide the MLAs and Councillors,” Mishra said.

AAP’s Delhi convener Dilip Pandey also made a similar appeal, saying everyone, including the elected representatives of BJP and AAP, should work together to combat chikungunya.

“Passing the buck around doesn’t solve anything, Delhi Gov, MCD and LG must work together to ensure people come first. #OneDelhi above politics, allegiances and personal interests. @KapilMishraAAP offers the olive branch to all, ensuring health comes first.

“#OneDelhi cannot be crippled by fractured politics. All responsible must come together to solve the vector borne disease outbreak. MCD must handle prevention, while Health Ministry will ensure quality treatment. #OneDelhi must together overcome this crisis (Sic),” Delhi AAP’s official handle tweeted.