AAP and BJP Lock Horns Over Delhi’s Water Crisis
Delhi’s political landscape has been set ablaze by a heated exchange between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over allegations of water contamination in the Yamuna River. Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Haryana government of deliberately releasing toxic water into the Yamuna, which supplies drinking water to the national capital. The BJP, in response, has dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused Kejriwal of misleading the public. The controversy has now escalated into a full-blown political battle, with legal threats and calls for intervention.
Kejriwal’s ‘Mass Genocide’ Allegation
On Monday, January 27, Arvind Kejriwal made a shocking claim that the Haryana government had poisoned the Yamuna’s water, potentially endangering millions of Delhi residents. He alleged that if the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had not stopped the contaminated water from entering the city, it could have led to a “mass genocide.”
“The BJP government in Haryana has poisoned the Yamuna water. Even our treatment plants cannot purify this water. It has already created a water shortage in one-third of Delhi,” Kejriwal declared. He further accused the BJP of deliberately creating chaos in Delhi and attempting to shift blame onto AAP. Seeking urgent action, AAP leaders Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann approached the Election Commission, urging intervention.
Delhi Jal Board CEO Refutes Claims
Contrary to Kejriwal’s allegations, DJB CEO Shilpa Shinde dismissed the claims as misleading and factually incorrect. In a letter to the Chief Secretary, she stated that such statements were unnecessarily creating fear among the residents and harming Delhi’s relations with Haryana. According to Shinde, while water pollution is a legitimate concern, the claims of deliberate poisoning were exaggerated and politically motivated.
Haryana Government’s Strong Rebuttal
Responding to Kejriwal’s accusations, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij called them baseless and fabricated.
“Arvind Kejriwal is a factory of lies… Take all journalists and analysts to the place where Yamuna enters Delhi and check the quality of water, and then check the quality of water in Delhi. They will see the difference,” Vij asserted.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also joined the fray, warning Kejriwal of a possible defamation lawsuit.
“For these blatantly false and disgusting statements, Kejriwal should immediately apologise to the people of Haryana and Delhi. Otherwise, we will file a defamation suit against him,” Saini told ANI.
He further lashed out at Kejriwal, claiming that he had failed to manage Delhi’s water distribution system for the past ten years. “There is no scarcity of water; the issue lies in Delhi’s mismanaged distribution system. Instead of blaming Haryana, he should focus on improving governance. The people of Delhi will teach him a lesson in the upcoming elections.”
Political and Legal Implications
The escalating political clash between AAP and BJP over the Yamuna water quality is likely to have significant ramifications in the upcoming elections. Kejriwal’s allegations of a “mass genocide” and the Haryana government’s threat of legal action signal that the dispute is far from over.
AAP’s move to seek Election Commission intervention underscores the party’s strategy to put the BJP on the defensive ahead of polls. Meanwhile, BJP’s counterattack, highlighting AAP’s failure in managing Delhi’s water supply, indicates that the party is not willing to back down.
Political Blame Game or Genuine Concern?
While the issue of Yamuna water contamination is critical, it has now turned into a political battleground between AAP and BJP. With accusations flying and legal threats looming, the focus has shifted from solving the water crisis to scoring political points. Delhi residents, caught in the crossfire, continue to face water shortages, while both parties engage in a relentless war of words.
As the controversy unfolds, the key question remains—will political leaders prioritize the health and well-being of the people, or will this remain yet another chapter in the ongoing AAP vs BJP rivalry? Only time will tell.
(With inputs from agencies)
