Give Proof By 8 Pm Tomorrow Or Face Legal Action: Poll Body Issues Notice To Kejriwal Over Yamuna Poisoning Claim

Kejriwal accused BJP of ‘mixing poison in Yamuna water.’

New Delhi: The Election Commission has sought evidence from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal after his controversial claim that the Haryana government was “mixing poison” into the Yamuna water, disrupting Delhi’s water supply. The poll body issued a notice on Tuesday, asking Kejriwal to respond by 8 pm on Wednesday.

Citing legal provisions and past judgements, the Election Commission warned that such statements could lead to up to three years of imprisonment if found to be misleading or against national integration and public harmony. It stated that the allegations could create enmity between regional groups and worsen relations between neighbouring states, potentially triggering law-and-order issues amid concerns over water shortages.

This came after AAP escalated the issue with the poll body, earlier in the day.

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‘Dirty Politics’ Over Yamuna Water Supply

During an election rally on January 27, Kejriwal accused the BJP of playing “dirty politics” by compromising Delhi’s water supply. He alleged, “Nothing is a bigger sin than depriving people of water. The BJP is trying to leave the people of Delhi thirsty for its dirty politics. They are mixing poison in the water being sent from Haryana.”

He further claimed, “This contaminated water is so toxic that it cannot be treated by the water treatment plants present in Delhi. The BJP wants to commit mass murder of Delhi residents. We will not let this happen.”

He had also said, “The people of Delhi get drinking water from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh… 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.”

“The country has never seen such dirty politics to date. If the people of Delhi are not voting for BJP, will you kill the people of Delhi by giving them water mixed with poison?” he asked, addressing a rally ahead of the upcoming Delhi elections.

Despite the grave accusations, Kejriwal assured Delhi residents he would safeguard them from harm. “I want to tell the people of Delhi that as long as Kejriwal is there, I will not let any harm come to the people of Delhi,” he said, urging the BJP to refrain from “stooping so low.”

Haryana CM Responds

In response, the Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini, is reportedly preparing to file a defamation case against Kejriwal.

Earlier, the Election Commission directed the Haryana government to provide a factual report by January 28 regarding the alleged rise in ammonia levels in water supplied to Delhi.

Yamun Water Issue Deepens

Meanwhile, the Congress party urged the poll body to act against Kejriwal if his accusations were proven false. “If Kejriwal’s allegations against the Haryana government are false, an FIR should be registered against him for violating the model code of conduct,” the Congress wrote to the Election Commission.

Shilpa Shinde, CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, also criticised Kejriwal’s claims, calling them “factually incorrect, without any basis and misleading.” In her letter to the Chief Secretary, Shinde noted, “Such false statements lead to fear-mongering among Delhi residents and also adversely affect relations with upper riparian states.”