AAP Exposes BJP’s Plot Behind Ban on Old Vehicles in Delhi

National News: Saurabh Bhardwaj, AAP’s Delhi president, launched a scathing attack on BJP’s vehicle policy. He alleged that right after forming the government in February 2025, BJP imposed a ban on old vehicles. Bhardwaj praised Delhiites for resisting the diktat and forcing the government to withdraw it. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa had announced on March 1, 2025, that petrol and diesel would be denied to old vehicles after March 31. The ban, however, was enforced starting July 1.

Misusing Court Orders

BJP claimed the order was based on directives from the Commission for Air Quality Monitoring (CAQM). But AAP refuted this, saying the actual orders date back to 2015. Bhardwaj pointed out that the National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court passed such directives in April 2015. Despite that, the AAP-led government from 2015 to 2025 never enforced fuel restrictions. BJP, within five months of taking charge, implemented the controversial move.

Exposing the Conspiracy

Bhardwaj revealed that Sirsa announced the ban on March 1, 2025, but CAQM’s official letter arrived on April 23, 2025. He said BJP had already decided to push 61 lakh vehicle owners toward new purchases. AAP accused the BJP and CAQM—both aligned with the Centre—of colluding to benefit auto manufacturers. The real intent, Bhardwaj claimed, was to push millions of new car sales.

Public and AAP Fought Back

The decision sparked massive backlash from AAP and the public. Bhardwaj said the BJP government even bragged about deploying 400 teams to seize old vehicles from petrol pumps. But AAP acted as a responsible opposition and kept resisting. Eventually, due to public pressure, BJP was forced to roll back the draconian order.

Targeting Auto Drivers Too

Bhardwaj stated this wasn’t BJP’s first such decree. Upon forming government, BJP tried to restrict non-electric three-wheelers too. The plan was to phase out old autos and allow only electric ones. However, protests from auto drivers forced the government to abandon the order. "Now the same happened with private vehicles," said Bhardwaj.

Demanding Corruption Probe

Bhardwaj demanded a thorough probe into CAQM’s directives. He said Sirsa’s July 3 letter to CAQM was merely face-saving. “There is massive corruption behind this plan. Who designed it, why, and who profited—all must be investigated,” he said. He claimed the BJP’s move had nothing to do with public interest but everything to do with profiteering.

People’s Victory, BJP’s U-turn

Bhardwaj congratulated the people of Delhi for their unity. He said the withdrawal of the ban was a win for democracy and a blow to BJP’s authoritarian plans. When BJP was exposed, Sirsa wrote to CAQM saying the fuel ban couldn’t be implemented. “That letter is proof of BJP getting trapped in its own conspiracy,” Bhardwaj concluded.