Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday assured a drive on “war footing” against the chikungunya and dengue in coming days and urged politicians of all hues to collectively fight the menace.
“If Delhiites can achieve a great success like the odd-even campaign, we can also fight the mosquito menace,” said Kejriwal.
“We have to come together...like the nation does to support Indian team in a cricket match against Pakistan,” said Kejriwal, fresh from his three-day medical trip to Bengaluru.
“I have issued directions to the health minister to buy new fogging machines in the next two-three months and ensure fogging on every second day in every nook and corner of the city,” said Kejriwal in a public message video released by the Delhi government.
Admitting that he was still weak after his throat surgery, the chief minister said: “A lot of people are doing politics. But a mosquito does not consider whether its victim is from one party or the other.”
Kejriwal said there was no time for blame game. “We can say the MCD did not do its bit, but that will not help. Delhi’s MCDs, MLAs and MPs can join the campaign to fight mosquitoes.”
The chief minister’s message came close on the heels of Delhi Congress observing “absconder day” on Friday against the absence of Kejriwal and his Cabinet ministers from the city at the time of the mosquito crisis.
Kejriwal went to Bengaluru on September 13 to undergo a surgery to correct an anatomical abnormality of his oral-pharyngeal and palatal area.
Vector-borne diseases like chikungunya and dengue have claimed at least 33 lives and affected over 2,800 people in Delhi this season.
Published 18 September 2016, 20:08 IST