Row Over Arvind Kejriwal’s Remarks On Yamuna Pollution Escalates As Haryana Warns Legal Action
The political feud over AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s remarks on Yamuna River pollution has intensified, with the Haryana BJP government threatening legal action against him. Kejriwal had accused the Haryana government of “poisoning” the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi, claiming it was a deliberate attempt to harm Delhi residents and shift the blame to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Haryana CM Responds with Warning
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini responded strongly on Tuesday, dismissing Kejriwal’s allegations as “blatantly false” and warning of a defamation suit if an apology was not issued.
“For these blatantly false and disgusting statements, Kejriwal should immediately apologise to the people of Haryana and Delhi, or we will file a defamation suit against him,” Saini stated.
In a scathing attack, Saini called Kejriwal “Aapda for Delhi” (a disaster for Delhi) and expressed confidence that the BJP would defeat AAP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
Saini also refuted claims of water pollution and scarcity, blaming Delhi’s distribution system for the issues. “There is no scarcity; there is an issue in the distribution system. Kejriwal has failed to manage this in 10 years despite his promises,” Saini said, offering to verify water quality at Sonipat, where the Yamuna water enters Delhi.
Haryana Minister Anil Vij Joins the Criticism
Haryana Minister Anil Vij also lashed out at Kejriwal, calling him “a factory of lies.” Vij urged journalists to independently check the water quality at the entry point in Delhi and compare it to water supplied in the capital.
“They will see the difference. It’s not our job to clean the river in Delhi; that was Kejriwal’s responsibility, and he failed,” Vij remarked.
AAP Responds to Allegations
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi came to Kejriwal’s defense, accusing the BJP and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of pressuring Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials to refute AAP’s claims.
Atishi stated that the DJB CEO’s letter denying Kejriwal’s allegations revealed a key fact: while water treatment plants can handle ammonia levels up to 2.5 ppm through dilution, the ammonia level in the Yamuna water entering Delhi had spiked to 6.5 ppm, six times the acceptable limit.
“The BJP is using LG’s office to pressure officials and manipulate facts. This level of pollution proves their negligence in controlling upstream contaminants,” Atishi alleged.
The Political Fallout
The exchange highlights escalating tensions as the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections approach. With both AAP and BJP locked in a bitter battle, the Yamuna pollution row has become a flashpoint for larger issues, including governance and environmental responsibility.