AAP seeks to bridge gaps with BJP-ruled civic bodies to fight chikungunya

New Delhi: Amid the blame game over chikungunya deaths in the national capital, AAP on Wednesday called for "bridging gaps" between the Delhi government and the BJP-ruled civic bodies and underlined the need to "rise above politics" in tackling the health crisis.

Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra quoted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as having said "no matter what", the various agencies and political parties will have to work together to tackle chikungunya that has so far claimed at least 10 lives in Delhi this season.

This 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.