AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal addresses a public meeting in support of party candidate Gaurav Sharma
ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: X@AamAadmiParty
A political war of words ensued in the national capital ahead of the Delhi Assembly election, a day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Haryana government of mixing ammonia in the waters of the Yamuna river before releasing it to Delhi, which could have caused “mass genocide”.
The BJP, refuting the charge, sought a ban on Mr. Kejriwal’s participation in campaigning until the completion of the electoral process for the Assembly election, alleging that his continued participation may lead to “potential public unrest”. The party sought the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the former Delhi Chief Minister.
Also Read | Haryana CM Saini flays AAP govt. in Delhi over contaminated water issue
Mr. Kejriwal reacted with a scathing attack against the BJP that he would not “let people die in Delhi” because of poisonous water.
“Go ahead, file a case. Is there anything left that you haven’t already done? You have sent me to jail, so hang me if you must. File a case, but will you kill the people?” he said at a press conference. Mr. Kejriwal warned against ‘playing politics’ on an important issue concerning the health of people.
A BJP delegation comprising Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Bhupender Yadav, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh, met the Election Commission of India (ECI), asking that the AAP leader be directed to retract his charge, and apologise for creating “panic” among people.
Also Read | Election Commission asks Kejriwal to furnish evidence of poisoning of the Yamuna
The BJP said Mr. Kejriwal’s allegation was not only baseless but also dangerous to public order and harmony…”such inflammatory statements, made without any evidence whatsoever, constitute a severe breach of several electoral and other statutes in addition to electoral ethics. These allegations are particularly concerning as they involve matters of public health and safety, potentially causing unnecessary panic among millions of Delhi residents,” the memorandum submitted to the ECI said.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote to the ECI, and also paid a visit to the ECI, to complain that ammonia levels were “six times above normal”, warning that such water could not be treated or supplied to residents of the city without risk to their health. Ms. Atishi appealed to the ECI to intervene in the matter.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said that if Mr. Kejriwal’s allegation was false, a First Information Report (FIR) should be registered against him for “spreading rumours” during the election campaign, a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Mr. Dikshit also wrote a letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on the issue.
The AAP termed the Congress’s statement as “deeply unfortunate”. “It is deeply unfortunate that Congress is indulging in politics even in matters that directly impact the health of Delhi’s residents. The DJB [Delhi Jal Board] CEO has confirmed that Haryana is releasing water laced with toxic ammonia, which is extremely dangerous and life-threatening,” the AAP said.
Also Read | Delhi, Punjab CMs meet EC, accuse BJP-led Haryana government of contamination
The party added that the BJP-led Haryana government was playing with the lives of Delhi’s people, and the Congress had been silent on the issue. “Thanks to Arvind Kejriwal’s vigilance, a major tragedy was averted, but the BJP’s intent is clear: Harm Delhiites, sabotage Arvind Kejriwal, and bury the truth,” the statement said.
On Monday, Mr. Kejriwal had referred to “biological warfare”, alleging “poison” was being mixed into the Yamuna, rendering the water untreatable at Delhi’s treatment plants. DJB CEO Shilpa Shinde dismissed Mr. Kejriwal’s claims as “factually incorrect” and “misleading”.
Published – January 29, 2025 01:57 am IST