NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given Arvind Kejriwal, national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), another opportunity to provide evidence supporting his allegations that the Yamuna river water was deliberately poisoned.
In a response issued on Thursday, the ECI asked Kejriwal to clarify his claims, including the type, quantity, and method of poisoning, as well as the role of Delhi Jal Board engineers in detecting the contamination.
The Commission has set a deadline for Friday, 11am, for Kejriwal to submit the necessary details.
The ECI’s response follows Kejriwal’s assertion that the elevated ammonia levels in Yamuna water were part of a poisoning plot, which he likened to an act of war.
The Commission has asked him to separate the issue of ammonia contamination from the poisoning allegations, urging him to avoid conflating the two matters.
It also cautioned Kejriwal against making inflammatory statements that could stir public unrest or promote discord between communities.
The ECI emphasized that water availability and cleanliness are key governance responsibilities, with all governments accountable for providing safe drinking water.
It further stressed that it would refrain from intervening in long-standing water-sharing disputes, particularly those with established legal resolutions from the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal.
Arvind Kejriwal’s defense
On Wednesday, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal responded to the Election Commission’s notice, asserting that the raw water supplied to Delhi from Haryana is highly toxic.
He pointed to a letter from the DJB CEO to the Delhi chief secretary, which highlighted an ammonia level of 6.5ppm in the Yamuna.
This figure, he claimed, is far above the 1ppm threshold that DJB treatment plants are capable of handling.
Late Wednesday, EC sources stated that Kejriwal’s response did not sufficiently address the core issue of his “poisoning” allegations.
While the ammonia contamination in the Yamuna has been flagged by both the Delhi and Punjab governments, the EC emphasized that Kejriwal’s claim of deliberate poisoning remained unsubstantiated.
The poll body sought proof of the purported poisoning, including the identification of the toxic agent, details of the individuals who detected it, and the methodology used to prevent the contaminated water from entering Delhi’s supply.
Kejriwal, in his detailed reply on Wednesday, reiterated that the pollution in the Yamuna was caused by indiscriminate industrial waste discharge from Haryana.
He argued that the Haryana government’s failure to address pollution had led to a severe public health threat. He pointed out that high ammonia levels in the water could lead to serious health issues, including neurological damage, liver and kidney dysfunction, and a higher risk of infant mortality.
The AAP leader stressed that his remarks were made in the public interest, to highlight the grave risks of water contamination, and were protected under the constitutional right to free speech.
He rejected allegations that his statements were meant to incite violence or create enmity, asserting that his focus remained on the urgent need for government intervention to address the water contamination crisis.
Kejriwal also emphasized that his statement had not targeted any individual candidates in the election, but was aimed at raising awareness about the public health implications of polluted water.
He concluded by announcing plans for the Delhi and Punjab chief ministers to write to the EC requesting an urgent meeting on the matter, warning that any attempt to suppress such critical public health discussions would undermine democratic principles and citizens’ rights.