New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Monday told the opposition not to indulge in a blame game over the Commonwealth Games, hinting that it sent a negative message about the city’s ability to host the Oct 3-14 mega event.
‘We should have faith in ourselves,’ Dikshit said, replying to a question raised by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra.
Malhotra said Delhi, which will host the mega-event this October, is witnessing flooding of roads, rise in cases of dengue and swine flu and several roads were dug up.
The BJP leader said in view of so many problems, it appears that the city will fail in meeting the final deadline for completing Games projects by Aug 31.
Malhotra accused the city government of not taking the dengue menace seriously and said Delhi will face an embarrassment during the mega sporting event due to this.
The BJP leader’s remarks were countered by Congress legislators who attacked the BJP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for its inability to check the disease.
In the meantime, Dikshit stood up to say that the government was serious in tackling all the problems.
‘In a population of 1.6 crore, having 350-375 dengue cases did not reflect a high ratio, but the government is making all efforts to tackle the menace. About 25-30 percent of the dengue patients come (and acquire the infection) from outside the city,’ she added.
Talking to reporters later, the chief minister said there have been more rains this year as compared to the last decade but added that the government was committed to tackle the problem.
Talking about the preparations for the Games, she said the stadia were ready to be handed over to the organizing committee of the sporting event.
