Watch: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta greeted with 'AQI' chants at Messi event; opposition slams government over smog

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's welcome to Lionel Messi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was disrupted by chants of "AQI, AQI" as the city grappled with severely polluted air. The Air Quality Index (AQI) had soared to 498 in the morning before settling at 427 later in the day.

The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding the declining air quality in the capital. Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP's Delhi unit chief, shared the clip on X, commenting, "International Shame, Crowd for Messi shouts 'AQI, AQI' as soon as Delhi CM Rekha Gupta arrives."

The AAP has accused the BJP governments, both at the national level and in Delhi, of failing to take adequate action to combat the toxic air affecting Delhi-NCR and other parts of North India. Bharadwaj specifically called out the Prime Minister's silence on the pressing issue of pollution.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, 27 monitoring stations across Delhi registered 'severe' air quality levels on Monday. Wazirpur recorded the highest AQI at 475. The heavy smog has reduced visibility, disrupting daily life, and prompting residents to wear masks as a precaution.

Delhi's air quality has remained in the 'severe' zone for three consecutive days, with a thick haze blanketing the city. The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour concluded at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, following a chaotic event in Kolkata on Saturday.