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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has been directed by the Election Commission (EC) to provide evidence supporting his claim that the BJP-led Haryana government has “poisoned” the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi. The directive came following a complaint from the BJP and requires Kejriwal to respond by 8 pm tomorrow.
Serious Matter, Says EC
The EC emphasized in its letter that the allegation is a “serious matter” with the potential to create animosity between states. It also warned of legal consequences, stating that the allegation carries a provision for up to three years of imprisonment.
The controversy arose just days before the Delhi assembly elections. On Monday, Kejriwal accused the BJP of “mixing poison” in the city’s water supply to create chaos and shift public blame onto the AAP-led Delhi administration.
“The people of Delhi get drinking water from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh,” Kejriwal said during an election rally. “But the Haryana government has mixed poison in the water coming to Delhi from the Yamuna and sent it here. It is only due to the vigilance of our Delhi Jal Board engineers that this water was stopped.”
Concerns Raised Over the Allegation Of Yamuna Poisoning
The Chief Engineer of the Delhi Jal Board disputed Kejriwal’s claims, cautioning that such statements could lead to fear-mongering among residents.
The EC echoed similar concerns in its letter, noting that the public often believes statements made by their leaders. “The electors tend to believe whatever is being said in public by their leaders and in that sense, the statement, if not true, affects the campaign discourse,” the EC stated.
It further described the allegations as “extremely serious in nature and unprecedented,” warning of potential consequences, including tensions between neighboring states and threats to law and order due to real or perceived water shortages.
“If true, this also has serious ramifications of creating enmity between regional groups, residents of neighboring states, and a threat of law-and-order situations,” the letter noted.
Congress Joins the Debate Over Yamuna Poisoning
The Congress party has also weighed in on the issue, writing to the Election Commission to seek immediate action on Kejriwal’s statements.
In its letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, the Congress urged a thorough investigation. “If Kejriwal’s allegations against the BJP-led Haryana government are false, an FIR should be registered against him for violating the Model Code of Conduct,” the letter read.
The party also demanded action if the claims were found to be true. “Likewise, if his allegations are found to be true, the poll panel should deal with the issue seriously and file a case against the Haryana government,” the Congress stated.
“You are kindly requested to investigate the matter and take immediate appropriate action,” the party added.
Citing Ammonia Levels in Yamuna
During his speech on Monday, Kejriwal pointed to high ammonia levels in the Yamuna, accusing the Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini, of deliberately polluting the river.
The allegations have triggered a political firestorm, with a war of words erupting between the AAP and the BJP.
The Haryana government has rejected the claims, with sources indicating plans to file a defamation case against Kejriwal. The BJP has also announced its intention to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission against the AAP leader.
Also Read: NewsX Exclusive: 90% Of Delhiites Say Yamuna Water Is Unsafe To Drink, Survey Reveals
