All schools to be closed: Delhi govt

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Monday announced that its offices and all schools in the Capital will remain closed on Tuesday, on account of Chhath Puja celebrations, as Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia asked Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal in an official letter to declare the holiday.

Offices of the three municipal corporations will also remain closed.

Meanwhile, the political blame game over Chhath Puja reached its peak, after a reported scuffle between the suspected BJP supporters and Chhath Puja ghat organisers on Sunday night.

Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Raghav Chadha on Tuesday said, "The BJP is doing politics over regional divides which have led to attacks on Poorvanchalis before the Chhath celebration."

"The way BJP has beaten up its own people in South Delhi because of their regional identity is shameful. There is a total failure of law and order. The police inaction should be condemned," said the AAP leader.

Meanwhile, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken blamed that the ruling AAP and the BJP-led municipal corporations for their lack of preparations for Chhath Puja.

Maken alleged that Chhath Puja Samitis are being asked to put up the photos of AAP ministers and MLAs at the ghats or else they would not be given any funds. He said that by doing this, the AAP government was playing dirty politics to insult the Poorvanchalis.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, in his criticism of the AAP government, said, "Lakhs of devotees worship the Sun god by standing in the water and praying. But due to the indifferent attitude of the government, the devotees are compelled to stand in dirty water and filth."

The BJP MP further said that his party had held a meeting of Chhath Puja samities and, besides giving directions to the members, also started a helpline number for proper arrangements at Chhath Ghats to ensure no devotee faces difficulties.