New Delhi : The political row over Arvind Kejriwal’s remarks about Yamuna pollution has escalated significantly since Monday, with sharp exchanges between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kejriwal, the former Delhi Chief Minister, accused Haryana’s BJP-led government of deliberately contaminating the Yamuna river, which is a primary source of water for Delhi. The AAP chief alleged that the water supplied to the capital from the river was ‘poisoned’, putting the health of millions of Delhiites at risk.
The controversy erupted when Kejriwal, in a public statement, expressed grave concern over the deteriorating quality of Yamuna water flowing into Delhi. He claimed that the Haryana government, which shares the responsibility of managing the river’s waters, was neglecting its duties, resulting in water contamination that he described as harmful and even toxic. This statement quickly became a political flashpoint, with both parties accusing each other of mismanagement and negligence.
In response, Haryana Minister Manohar Lal Khattar condemned Kejriwal’s remarks, calling them “baseless” and “irresponsible”. Khattar warned that legal action could be taken against the Delhi CM for making such false allegations, which could harm the state’s reputation. Haryana’s BJP leadership has also demanded an apology from Kejriwal, accusing him of spreading lies and misleading the public.
The BJP has accused the Delhi government of deflecting its own failures in managing water resources, particularly the cleaning and treatment of water supplied to the city. Haryana officials have pointed to Delhi’s insufficient infrastructure for purifying water and questioned the state’s inability to resolve the pollution issue within its own borders.
Meanwhile, AAP leaders have rallied behind Kejriwal, with party spokesperson Atishi calling the BJP’s reaction a “diversionary tactic.” Atishi reiterated that the poor quality of water supplied to Delhi was a serious concern and that the BJP was avoiding responsibility. She pointed out that Kejriwal’s concerns were valid and aligned with the ongoing struggles faced by Delhiites in accessing clean and safe drinking water.
This exchange has intensified political tensions ahead of upcoming elections, as both the BJP and AAP are vying for public support. The accusations regarding the Yamuna’s pollution are expected to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks, with both parties trading blame and pointing fingers at each other’s governance.
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