New Delhi: Congress activists on Thursday protested outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence here to highlight the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's alleged inefficiency in handling the rising cases of dengue in the national capital.
The protesters were led by Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken and Congress spokesperson P.C. Chacko.
Slogans like 'Kejriwal hosh mein aao' (Kejriwal, come to senses) were raised.
The protest followed comments by senior Congress leaders critical of the central and Delhi governments' handling of the dengue situation in the national capital.
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Congress leader P.C Chacko, slamming the BJP-led central government, said it is the responsibility of the central government to meet the expenditure incurred for dengue tests and provide medical and health facilities for the poor.
"Municipal corporations have got funds to control the spread of mosquitoes but they have done nothing," he added.
"How would poor people affected by dengue afford to spend money on medical tests?" he asked. "The central government should come forward and meet the expenditure to tackle this epidemic."
"This is a protest of humanity in pain and distress. Don't view it from the prism of politics. We demand immediate action. The rift between the AAP and BJP has weakened the Delhi (power) corridors," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told IANS.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the central and Delhi governments what steps are being taken to prevent the spread of dengue in the national capital.
The court directed them to file affidavits explaining these steps within two weeks.
Dengue has claimed tat least 16 lives so far but the official toll is placed at five.
Delhi's civic bodies have so far confirmed only five dengue deaths in the capital and the number of cases as 1,872.
