Sat Nov 02 19:47:52 UTC 2024: ## Political Feud Erupts in Delhi Over Chhath Puja Celebrations

**New Delhi, November 3, 2024:** A heated exchange erupted between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi over the celebration of Chhath Puja, a festival primarily observed by Purvanchali communities.

The AAP alleged that the BJP-controlled Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had blocked access for Purvanchalis to a traditional Chhath ghat in Chirag Dilli, despite the Delhi government’s approval. Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, a senior AAP leader, announced an indefinite sit-in protest, accusing the DDA of insulting the Purvanchali community.

Chief Minister Atishi echoed the allegations, stating on social media that the BJP would face the consequences of its “petty politics.”

However, the BJP countered the accusations, claiming that AAP workers had illegally occupied a public park in Greater Kailash where Chhath Puja has been held for 16 years, preventing a clean-up drive. Delhi BJP spokesperson Shikha Rai alleged that AAP workers, allegedly associated with the Health Minister, threatened members of a Chhath committee while attempting to prepare the ghat. The BJP accused the AAP of displaying an “anti-Hindu stance.”

The clash underscores the escalating political tensions in Delhi, with both parties vying for the support of the significant Purvanchali population in the capital. The incident is likely to further fuel the political rivalry ahead of the upcoming elections.

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