Call for immediate legislation to protect owners of older vehicles; failure to act would expose the BJP’s ‘nexus with the automobile lobby’
NEW DELHI — The BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Delhi have betrayed the national capital’s middle class, women, and senior citizens through the blanket 10-year ban on petrol and diesel vehicles, Atishi, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, has said.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here on Tuesday, Atishi called the policy a “scam” and “fraud,” alleging that the BJP was colluding with car manufacturers and scrap dealers to force lakhs of Delhi residents into unnecessary expenses. She demanded immediate legislation to protect owners of older vehicles and warned that failure to act would expose the BJP’s “nexus with the automobile lobby.”
“It’s every middle-class family’s dream to save up and, through a 5-7 year loan, buy a second-hand car,” said Atishi. “But the BJP’s four-engine government — Delhi Government, MCD, Police, CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management), and the Centre — has imposed a blanket ban that doesn’t care whether a vehicle is well-maintained or polluting.”
She argued that the vehicle ban disproportionately affects the middle class, women, and elderly citizens, groups that rely on affordable, personal mobility for safety and convenience.
“Women are forced to buy cars because public transport is unsafe. Harassment is common on buses and trains, and the BJP has removed marshals from buses. There is no police presence at metro stations. Now they’re being punished for trying to protect themselves,” she said.
Senior citizens, too, are impacted, she added. “They rely on personal vehicles for medical visits and emergencies. Why should they be forced to scrap perfectly functional cars?”
Mockery of Governance
Atishi ridiculed the BJP’s claim of acting on court orders, calling their recent communications with the CAQM a “letter drama.”
“It’s like Karthik Calling Karthik. BJP is writing letters to its own government agencies, pretending it has no power. This is 100% fraud,” she said.
She also pointed out the BJP’s inconsistent approach to court orders. “This is the same BJP that overturned the Supreme Court’s verdict on Delhi services with an ordinance in just eight days. But when it comes to helping the middle class, suddenly their hands are tied?”
Atishi alleged that the BJP was hoping the Supreme Court would dismiss its petition so that it could blame the judiciary and avoid political responsibility.
‘Arbitrary and Cruel’
Calling the current policy “arbitrary and cruel,” Atishi demanded that the BJP bring a new law within a week to protect 10-year-old vehicles from seizure or deregistration.
“The threat of seizure, fuel denial, and registration cancellation has created panic. Only a new law can remove this sword hanging over Delhiites’ heads. If the BJP is serious, let them bring an ordinance or convene a special assembly session. We will support it.”
She warned that any failure to act decisively would confirm BJP’s collusion with private interests.
“If no law is passed, it will become clear that the BJP stands with car manufacturers and scrap dealers, not the people. Delhiites are watching, and they will not forget.”
