‘Messi, Not AQI’: BJP Counters Viral Clip Targeting Delhi CM During The Argentinian Footballer’s Event

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 12:13 IST

A political row erupted in Delhi after the BJP and AAP traded charges over a viral video from Lionel Messi’s city visit.

Lionel Messi, along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, during the final leg of his 'GOAT India Tour 2025', at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi (PTI)

The BJP on Wednesday released a counter video after a clip went viral showing Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta allegedly facing chants of “AQI, AQI" during an event welcoming football icon Lionel Messi. The party said the viral clip was misleading and claimed the crowd was actually chanting “Messi, Messi" as the chief minister felicitated the Argentine star at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

BJP calls viral clip ‘false’

Sharing what it described as the “real video" on Instagram, the BJP accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of circulating a false clip to embarrass the chief minister. In the video released by the BJP, the crowd can be heard chanting Messi’s name while cheering his presence in the capital.

“Messi, Messi — this is the real video. The more excited the people were, the more disheartened the AAP leaders were," the BJP said, alleging that the opposition party deliberately spread misinformation.

Messi visit coincides with severe pollution

Messi’s Delhi visit on Monday marked the end of his GOAT India tour. However, the day also turned out to be the city’s most polluted this winter. The Air Quality Index crossed the severe mark, touching 498 in the morning before easing slightly to 427 by evening.

The coincidence of the high-profile visit and extreme pollution levels added fuel to the political controversy, with both parties trading sharp remarks over responsibility for Delhi’s air crisis.

AAP terms it ‘international shame’

AAP’s Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj shared the original clip showing “AQI" chants and called the situation an “international shame". He blamed both the BJP-led Centre and the Delhi government for the worsening air quality.

“In a country where everyone is talking about pollution, the prime minister is silent on the issue," Bharadwaj said, accusing the BJP of failing to act despite holding power.

Responding to the criticism, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed the AAP for the capital’s polluted air, pointing to its decade-long rule in Delhi. While apologising for the current situation, Sirsa said it was impossible to bring down pollution levels within nine to ten months of coming to power. The BJP formed the government in Delhi earlier this year.

“This disease of pollution has been handed to us by the AAP, and we are working to fix it," he said.

Hitting back, Bharadwaj accused the BJP of hypocrisy. He recalled a March 2025 post where the BJP claimed Delhiites were breathing clean air soon after the new government took charge. “Today they apologise for pollution, but earlier they claimed victory over it," he said, alleging manipulation of AQI data.

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