Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI), describing Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar's remarks regarding the Yamuna River water issue as "baffling." He reiterated his accusations of "Yamuna poisoning" against the BJP-led Haryana government and challenged the electoral body to take action and impose sanctions on Nayab Singh Saini.
Kejriwal expressed that Rajiv Kumar's perplexing response had diminished his trust in the Election Commission, following a meeting with the panel that was scheduled for 11 a.m. today.
In a letter addressed to the Election Commission, the former Chief Minister of Delhi made serious allegations against Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, urging that a criminal case be initiated concerning the 'toxic' Yamuna situation. Kejriwal asserted that the water supplied from Haryana to Delhi contained elevated levels of ammonia.
The AAP national convenor claimed that ammonia levels began to rise significantly from January 15 (approximately 3.2 ppm on that date) and escalated to 7 ppm shortly thereafter, as reported by the Aam Aadmi Party on X.
Kejriwal further alleged that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi reached out to Saini to address the crisis; however, despite multiple attempts, the issues remained unresolved.
The letter indicated that the Delhi chief minister contacted the Haryana chief minister in the last week of December, requesting either measures to reduce ammonia levels or additional water to dilute the contamination. Although the Haryana chief minister assured that he would take appropriate actions, he ultimately failed to do so. The letter also claimed that after several calls, the Haryana chief minister ceased responding to the Delhi chief minister's attempts to communicate.
Haryana chief minister accused of 'conspiracy' by Kejriwal
In a pointed critique of the Haryana chief minister, Kejriwal asserted that Saini has orchestrated a 'conspiracy' aimed at swaying the Delhi assembly elections.
The AAP expressed on X that the Haryana Chief Minister, affiliated with the BJP, engaged in a calculated scheme to manipulate the Delhi elections by directing highly polluted water towards the capital. Kejriwal emphasized that this action was intended to create an artificial water shortage in Delhi, thereby placing the blame on the AAP government. Such a scenario would have left nearly half of Delhi's population, approximately 10 million residents, without access to water, resulting in significant public distress.
Kejriwal further stated that if no measures are taken against the Haryana government and the BJP officials implicated in these corrupt activities, it would become evident that the Chief Election Commissioner prioritizes the interests of the ruling party over those of the public. He said that he cannot remain silent or conform out of fear or anticipation of favours.
He said his primary concern was the health and safety of Delhi's citizens and he was committed to defending democratic principles. He remarked that any punitive actions taken against him at the behest of the BJP would be a minor sacrifice, which he would accept willingly.
'CEC hounding me'
Kejriwal said he was astonished that the CEC refrained from issuing any directives to the Chief Minister of Haryana to cease the pollution of Delhi's water sources just before the elections. Instead, the CEC decided to pursue me, he stated in a letter.
As reported by the news agency ANI, the Election Commission regarded the meeting with the AAP convener, Delhi CM Atishi, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann as a "special case" due to the heightened campaigning activity in Delhi.
The commission acknowledged the nature of the meeting with Arvind Kejriwal today as a special case, modifying its previous schedule in light of the intense campaign period in Delhi, ensuring that no complaints could arise from any stakeholders, an EC source indicated.
The commission provided a thorough hearing to the AAP convener to support his claims regarding the poisoning of the Yamuna and allegations of mass genocide, the source further noted.
Yamuna waters controversy
This meeting occurred against the backdrop of the EC's notice to Kejriwal, requesting evidence for his claims that the Haryana government has "poisoned" the water supply to Delhi.
The issue surrounding the Yamuna water has become a significant political topic ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, with the AAP convener accusing the BJP-led Haryana government of intentionally contaminating the water. The Election Commission had asked Kejriwal to submit concrete evidence to substantiate these allegations by 11 am today.
The day prior, the Election Commission cautioned the former chief minister of Delhi against equating the increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna River with his accusations of intentional poisoning and mass genocide, the Aam Aadmi Party wrote on X.
The commission provided Kejriwal with another opportunity to validate his assertions, requesting specific information regarding the alleged poisoning, including the type, quantity, nature, and detection methods employed by engineers from the Delhi Jal Board.
Earlier on Monday, Kejriwal made grave allegations against the BJP, asserting that the BJP-led Haryana government intentionally contaminated Delhi's water supply to cause deaths and shift the blame onto AAP.
Should this water have contaminated Delhi's drinking supply, it could have resulted in numerous fatalities among the population. The AAP convener claimed that such an event would have led to mass genocide. His statements have ignited considerable political debate, attracting criticism from leaders of the BJP.
Kejriwal attacks Election Commission over comment on Yamuna
The Election Commission acknowledged the nature of the meeting with Arvind Kejriwal today as a special case, modifying its previous schedule in light of the intense campaign period in Delhi
Photograph: (open source)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI), describing Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar's remarks regarding the Yamuna River water issue as "baffling." He reiterated his accusations of "Yamuna poisoning" against the BJP-led Haryana government and challenged the electoral body to take action and impose sanctions on Nayab Singh Saini.
Kejriwal expressed that Rajiv Kumar's perplexing response had diminished his trust in the Election Commission, following a meeting with the panel that was scheduled for 11 a.m. today.
In a letter addressed to the Election Commission, the former Chief Minister of Delhi made serious allegations against Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, urging that a criminal case be initiated concerning the 'toxic' Yamuna situation. Kejriwal asserted that the water supplied from Haryana to Delhi contained elevated levels of ammonia.
The AAP national convenor claimed that ammonia levels began to rise significantly from January 15 (approximately 3.2 ppm on that date) and escalated to 7 ppm shortly thereafter, as reported by the Aam Aadmi Party on X.
Kejriwal further alleged that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi reached out to Saini to address the crisis; however, despite multiple attempts, the issues remained unresolved.
The letter indicated that the Delhi chief minister contacted the Haryana chief minister in the last week of December, requesting either measures to reduce ammonia levels or additional water to dilute the contamination. Although the Haryana chief minister assured that he would take appropriate actions, he ultimately failed to do so. The letter also claimed that after several calls, the Haryana chief minister ceased responding to the Delhi chief minister's attempts to communicate.
Haryana chief minister accused of 'conspiracy' by Kejriwal
In a pointed critique of the Haryana chief minister, Kejriwal asserted that Saini has orchestrated a 'conspiracy' aimed at swaying the Delhi assembly elections.
The AAP expressed on X that the Haryana Chief Minister, affiliated with the BJP, engaged in a calculated scheme to manipulate the Delhi elections by directing highly polluted water towards the capital. Kejriwal emphasized that this action was intended to create an artificial water shortage in Delhi, thereby placing the blame on the AAP government. Such a scenario would have left nearly half of Delhi's population, approximately 10 million residents, without access to water, resulting in significant public distress.
Kejriwal further stated that if no measures are taken against the Haryana government and the BJP officials implicated in these corrupt activities, it would become evident that the Chief Election Commissioner prioritizes the interests of the ruling party over those of the public. He said that he cannot remain silent or conform out of fear or anticipation of favours.
He said his primary concern was the health and safety of Delhi's citizens and he was committed to defending democratic principles. He remarked that any punitive actions taken against him at the behest of the BJP would be a minor sacrifice, which he would accept willingly.
'CEC hounding me'
Kejriwal said he was astonished that the CEC refrained from issuing any directives to the Chief Minister of Haryana to cease the pollution of Delhi's water sources just before the elections. Instead, the CEC decided to pursue me, he stated in a letter.
As reported by the news agency ANI, the Election Commission regarded the meeting with the AAP convener, Delhi CM Atishi, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann as a "special case" due to the heightened campaigning activity in Delhi.
The commission acknowledged the nature of the meeting with Arvind Kejriwal today as a special case, modifying its previous schedule in light of the intense campaign period in Delhi, ensuring that no complaints could arise from any stakeholders, an EC source indicated.
The commission provided a thorough hearing to the AAP convener to support his claims regarding the poisoning of the Yamuna and allegations of mass genocide, the source further noted.
Yamuna waters controversy
This meeting occurred against the backdrop of the EC's notice to Kejriwal, requesting evidence for his claims that the Haryana government has "poisoned" the water supply to Delhi.
The issue surrounding the Yamuna water has become a significant political topic ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, with the AAP convener accusing the BJP-led Haryana government of intentionally contaminating the water. The Election Commission had asked Kejriwal to submit concrete evidence to substantiate these allegations by 11 am today.
The day prior, the Election Commission cautioned the former chief minister of Delhi against equating the increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna River with his accusations of intentional poisoning and mass genocide, the Aam Aadmi Party wrote on X.
The commission provided Kejriwal with another opportunity to validate his assertions, requesting specific information regarding the alleged poisoning, including the type, quantity, nature, and detection methods employed by engineers from the Delhi Jal Board.
Earlier on Monday, Kejriwal made grave allegations against the BJP, asserting that the BJP-led Haryana government intentionally contaminated Delhi's water supply to cause deaths and shift the blame onto AAP.
Should this water have contaminated Delhi's drinking supply, it could have resulted in numerous fatalities among the population. The AAP convener claimed that such an event would have led to mass genocide. His statements have ignited considerable political debate, attracting criticism from leaders of the BJP.