The Yamuna River is emerging as a central issue in Delhi's assembly elections. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Home Minister Amit Shah to drink the Yamuna's water publicly. Recently, Kejriwal accused Haryana’s Nayab Singh Saini government of poisoning the Yamuna River.
AAP's National Convener told India Today, ‘Amit Shah, Rajiv Kumar, Rahul Gandhi, Sandeep Dikshit, show us you can drink the 7 PPM ammonia water you’re allegedly sending to Delhi.’
7 PPM Ammonia: Equivalent to Poison
Kejriwal emphasized that 7 PPM ammonia is "akin to poison," repeating his accusations that Haryana's BJP-led administration is tainting the river, endangering Delhi's populace. When queried about his allegations against BJP-ruled Haryana, Kejriwal countered, asking, "Then who is responsible, since Delhi's water supply originates from Panipat?"
Kejriwal stated, "Such contaminated water reaching treatment plants could be extremely dangerous upon chlorination," citing a letter from the CEO of the Water Board as evidence.
'Post-January 21 Ammonia Levels Surged'
The former Chief Minister claimed Delhi's water, previously containing around 3 PPM ammonia, spiked to 7 PPM post-January 21. This, he asserted, was a plot to disrupt Delhi’s treatment plants and fuel public outrage against AAP.
Delhi's Chief Minister Atishi noted that the city's treatment plants can process 1 PPM, at most 2.5 PPM, yet the current water from Haryana contains 7 PPM ammonia.
At a recent rally, Kejriwal accused Haryana’s government, helmed by Nayab Singh Saini, of making the Yamuna toxic. Delhi's CM Atishi lodged a complaint with the election commission. BJP harshly criticized Kejriwal's remarks, while Haryana’s CM Nayab Singh Saini threatened legal action and demanded an apology.
PM Modi Also Weighs In
On Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi targeted Kejriwal, stating such comments insult the nation, noting he himself drinks Yamuna water.
With Delhi's assembly elections slated for February 5, clean water access has become a pivotal topic in pre-election political discussions.
