Demanding Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s intervention in the matter, the Congress on Monday threatened to take to the streets if the upcoming Chhath Puja festival was not declared a dry day in the city.
A five-member delegation led by Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely called on Saxena in this regard at Raj Niwas and submitted a memorandum demanding that no alcohol retail be allowed on the day of the festival, to be observed on November 19.
It also demanded round-the-clock power and water supply and cleanliness around religious places considering the footfall of pilgrims to such venues during the upcoming festive season.
According to the party, the delegation conveyed to the L-G that there was anger among the Poorvanchali community of the capital over the festival not being declared a dry day like it was last year.
‘Lakhs of devotees visit temples during the Navratra festival till late into the night, and small mechanical sweepers should be deployed to keep the areas around temples clean, as big mechanical sweepers cannot enter the narrow streets where many temples are located,’ said Delhi Congress in the delegation submitted.
