Set to come in effect from January 1st, the odd-even car scheme will first be adopted for a trial period of 15 days.
Hitting back at AAP for its criticism of Robert Vadra who had questioned giving exemptions in odd-even policy for vehicles, Congress today likened the Delhi government's initiative to curb pollution to Delhi Sultanate ruler "Muhammad bin Tughlaq's act".
"What has Mr Vadra said? He said about the discrimination of VIPs. Isn't he right? VIPs also inhale oxygen and have the same lungs. Why this discrimination? Everybody here is equal in this land. You have concerns, so address that. If he has raised the issue in public domain, why is the AAP so worried," questioned Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.
"Questions will be asked because this is like a Muhammad bin Tuglaq act. This is like shifting the capital from Delhi to Devagiri without having the infrastructure. You cannot do this to people of Delhi. They have given you the mandate. You cannot make them suffer. You should have taken steps. Your transport system is totally failing," Mr Vadakkan said.
Muhammad bin Tughluq, who ruled Delhi from 1324 to 1351, transferred Delhi to Devagiri (now Daulatabad) with an intention to consolidate the conquests in southern India and protect against Mongol incursions. In 1328-29, he ordered a large-scale and in some cases forced-migration of people of Delhi to Devagiri, separated by a distance of 1,500 km. The decision was severely criticised by historians.
Mr Vadakkan said the Aam Aadmi Party should have come out with a policy with consensus.
Mr Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, had yesterday criticised the exemptions granted to vehicles of VIPs by Delhi government in its 'even-odd scheme' to control pollution, saying all must adhere to the law.
"Odd and Even ways !! Creating parallel lists of exemption, is complete hypocrisy. If a law is implemented in the interest of the people, we all must adhere, and not be VIPs," he said in his Facebook post.
Reacting to it, AAP said he is the "biggest hypocrite" and advised him to contribute and not comment on the initiative.