In a light-hearted exchange during a hearing on Delhi’s air pollution, the Supreme Court observed that a "double-engine government" in the capital does not necessarily guarantee positive action to curb pollution.

The discussion took a political turn as amicus curiae, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, remarked that with the BJP securing a decisive victory in Delhi, governance might now be smoother. "During the AAP government's tenure, much time was spent in conflicts with the Centre, leaving key issues unresolved," she noted.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati expressed hope that such conflicts would no longer persist. However, Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuiyan pointed out a pragmatic concern, stating, "They may not be fighting, but that does not mean they will be proactive."

The Aam Aadmi Party, after a decade-long rule, faced a significant electoral setback last week, losing ground from 62 to 22 seats. The BJP, which previously held eight seats, surged to 48. The defeat has been linked to various factors, including corruption allegations and the party’s failure to address key environmental concerns like Yamuna pollution and the annual smog crisis.

AAP’s governance in Punjab has also drawn criticism, given the state's role in the stubble burning crisis, a major contributor to northern India's air pollution. Satellite images have shown that farm fires in Punjab remained rampant, raising concerns over the state government’s efforts to control them.

Meanwhile, in the Supreme Court, ASG Bhati sought permission to ease GRAP-IV restrictions currently in place in Delhi. The court directed her to submit an Air Quality Index report and scheduled further deliberation on the matter for February 17.