New Delhi, Nov. 9 -- As post-Diwali smog blanketed Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party president Saurabh Bhardwaj on Monday accused the government of manipulating AQI data, asking for "true" numbers for pollution.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality deteriorated to the brink of the 'severe' category on Monday morning, with the AQI touching the 400 mark. Smog reduced visibility in several parts of the city.

Speaking to ANI, Bhardwaj alleged that monitoring stations were shut down and 20 new AQI stations were installed in remote, green areas of Delhi. He claimed water is being sprinkled over monitoring stations in polluted spots to manipulate readings.

"The government's data is based on fraud. We showed how monitoring...