
The political drama around the water crisis in Delhi took a new turn on Friday (June 21) after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi sat on an indefinite hunger strike claiming that the neighbouring Haryana government was not releasing the national capital's share of water.
She along with AAP leader Sanjay Singh and other members sat on strike at Bhogal, near Jangpura in the Indian national capital.
Before heading to Bhogal, she paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
The Delhi minister staged the demonstration to press on her demand seeking 100 million gallons of water per day from Haryana.
Earlier in the day, she took to her official X handle and said, "I will start 'Pani Satyagraha' from today... I will start an indefinite fast at Bhogal, Jangpura from 12 o'clock until the people of Delhi get their rightful share of water from Haryana."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal, who was present at the time Atishi began her fast, said the AAP leader was pained to see the people of the national capital suffering from the severe water crisis.
Sunita Kejriwal said, "Kejriwal says that when I see on TV, the way Delhi people are suffering due to water scarcity, it hurts me. I hope Atishi's 'tapasya' will succeed and residents of Delhi will get relief. I wish all the best to Atishi, may God protect her."
"It's our culture to provide water to the thirsty. Delhi gets water from neighbouring states. We hoped for the support of neighbouring states in such intense heat. But, Haryana reduced Delhi's water share," she said.
"Although there are governments of different parties in the two states but is this time for politics over water?," she added referring to Haryana's ruling BJP.
(With inputs from agencies)