Election Commission demands proof from Kejriwal on Yamuna poisoning claim

The Election Commission has issued a notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to provide proof to substantiate his allegation that the BJP-led Haryana government poisoned the Yamuna water supply to Delhi. The poll panel has demanded “evidentiary support” for his claim by 8 PM on January 29, 2025.

In its notice, the Commission stated that the matter is being examined in light of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and relevant laws. Kejriwal’s remarks have sparked political controversy, with both the BJP and the Congress lodging official complaints against him.

Kejriwal had alleged on Monday that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) stopped the “poisoned” water at Delhi’s border, preventing what he described as a potential mass genocide. He claimed that the BJP government in Haryana deliberately released water with high ammonia content into the Yamuna, rendering it untreatable and jeopardizing the water supply to Delhi residents.

However, the Election Commission noted that the DJB’s report makes no mention of poisoning in the Yamuna water. Furthermore, a joint letter from the chief ministers of Delhi and Punjab alleged a deliberate act of “water terrorism” by Haryana.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reacted strongly to Kejriwal’s claims, accusing him of spreading fear for political gains. Shah challenged Kejriwal to publicly disclose the DJB report that supposedly supports his allegations. “Politics cannot get dirtier than this,” Shah remarked, emphasizing the importance of factual foundations for such serious accusations.

As the controversy unfolds, the Election Commission’s demand for evidence puts pressure on Kejriwal to justify his remarks, while the BJP and Congress continue to criticize him for allegedly misleading the public.