Delhi on Monday (4^th November) witnessed the first day of the odd-even rule that has been implemented to fight the burgeoning pollution woes in the city. With the air quality being at the alarming and hazardous levels in the capital, the Delhi chief Minister implemented the rule once again to bring the situation under control, to some extent.

However, defying the rule, Senior BJP leader Vijay Goel violated the Delhi government’s odd-even road rationing scheme on Monday by driving an odd-numbered SUV. Goel, driving the SUV painted in orange with messages written all over it, claimed the odd-even scheme was a “gimmick”.

His car that was heading to ITO from his residence on Ashoka Road, was stopped by traffic policemen near Janpath and fined Rs 4,000.

Goel, a former chief of Delhi BJP, said the odd-even scheme is a drama by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. “Vehicles contribute to 28% of pollution levels in Delhi, in which cars contribute only 3%. This comes to cars contributing 0.84% to total Delhi pollution which means this #OddEven is leaving 99.58% causative agents of Delhi pollution untouched,” Goel tweeted.

Goel exchanged heated words with Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot over crippling pollution in the city, hours after defying the odd-even car rationing scheme.

“I am an MP from Delhi and take up Delhi’s issue in Parliament. You never came to meet me or any of the six MPs… Secondly, why was no step taken in the last five years? And if the reason for pollution in stubble burning, then what is the point of odd-even?” Goel asked.

Soon after Goel violated the odd-even rule, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot landed up at his doorstep with a bouquet of roses. “Offered him a bouquet of roses while requesting him to comply with odd-even rules,” Gahlot said.

The third instalment of the odd-even scheme will remain in force in the national capital till November 15 from 8 am to 8 pm.