After Goel’s odd protest, government gets even with a flowery visit

Goel’s saffron SUV had slogans blaming the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government for the present pollution crisis. He later returned to his residence.

BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel on Monday violated the odd-even road space rationing drive by driving his SUV with an odd registration number on a day when only even-numbered vehicles were allowed.

Environment & Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot meets with BJP leader Vijay Goel over the Odd-Even scheme at his official residence. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

Goel’s “symbolic protest” prompted state transport minister Kailash Gahlot to visit and convince him to participate in the drive. The Congress criticised the BJP leader, asking him to “grow up”.

This is the second time that Goel has deliberately violated the rule, which entails a fine of ₹4,000, double the amount in the last two editions. In April 2016, during the second edition of the odd-even rationing, Goel was fined ₹2,000 along with an additional fine of ₹1,500 as he could not produce his driver’s licence and insurance papers.

Goel’s move drew flak on social media with people demanding heavy penalty for “his drama”.

“This (odd-even) is an election stunt. Manish Sisodia has said the present pollution problem is largely due to stubble burning. Then how will odd-even help... They are inconveniencing the people .... This government has done nothing to address the problem. Where are the buses they had promised? They have failed on all fronts,” Goel said.

Goel’s saffron SUV had slogans blaming the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government for the present pollution crisis. He later returned to his residence.

Minutes later, Gahlot arrived to “convince” him to follow the odd-even drive. Gahlot offered Goel a bouquet of roses. In 2016, then transport minister Gopal Rai had offered him roses too.

“I hope and request you too will participate in the drive,” Gahlot told Goel. The BJP leader responded, “You have come so late to persuade me. In five years, this is the first time you have come to see me,” Goel said.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was “disappointed”. “It is not right that the BJP is opposing it and the efforts of the people of Delhi,” he said.

Former Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken tweeted, “As a LawMaker-How can he deliberately break the law? I’ve been most vocal critic of Kejriwal- But,I will never ‘contribute to air pollution’ as a way of protest! Grow up Vijay Goel!”