BJP Lok Sabha MPs on Tuesday slammed the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government during a debate on pollution and tried to highlight the Centre’s role in tackling the problem.

Cricketer-turned-BJP MP Gautam Gambhir requsted that pollution should not be “politicised” but then called the odd-even scheme a “gimmick”.

“The state cannot get away with these gimmicks like odd-even (and) shutting construction sites…We need a long-term solution,” Gambhir, who represents East Delhi, said.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said the state government should be penalised for failing to tackle the problem well. “Since pollution is a state subject, can we do something? So if the state is making excuses, a punishment can be decreed upon it,” Tiwari said.

He accused the Delhi government of stopping funds for municipal bodies for sprinklers, which he asserted was then paid by the central government. “We thank the Narendra Modi government for allocating a fund of Rs 100 crore,” he said.

The speech by Tiwari was followed by Sanjay Jaiswal, the BJP MP from West Champaran, who highlighted the schemes of the central government that had helped curb air pollution. 'We have to create a balance between development and environment,' he said and thanked Prime Minister Modi for his role in tackling pollution issues.

“His initiatives for renewable energy when he was the chief minister of Gujarat is commendable,” he said.

BJP MP Parvesh Verma from West Delhi blamed the Kejriwal government for spending money on advertisements. “You would be surprised to know that the Delhi government’s ad budget is Rs 600 crore,” he said.

The Delhi chief minister is “shouting” about parali (stubble burning) while blaming the Punjab and Haryana government, Verma said. “First, the Delhi CM used to cough and now the whole of Delhi is coughing.” At this juncture, Kirti Premjibhai Solanki, who was in the chair during Verma’s speech, cautioned him from taking names.

Unlike the BJP MPs, other members suggested ways tackle pollution.

Congress MP Manish Tewari cited the example of Beijing and said India should learn from the neighbouring nation.

Tewari suggested that a committee be formed to focus on climate change and pollution-related issues.

Trinamul Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who wore an air filter mask in the House, too asked for a new mission to tackle the issue. “When we have Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, can’t we have a swachh hawa abhiyan,?” she asked.

Several MPs said farmers should not be blamed for stubble burning.