Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has created a stir ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections with his bold claims about the water supply from the Yamuna River.
In a controversial statement, Kejriwal alleged that the water being supplied to Delhi was contaminated, with ammonia levels reaching a hazardous 7 parts per million (PPM). He accused the Haryana government of deliberately poisoning the water, which he claimed was putting the lives of Delhi’s residents at risk.
At the heart of Kejriwal’s accusation is the sudden increase in ammonia levels in the Yamuna water, which he described as "poison." Ammonia at 7 PPM, according to the Delhi Chief Minister, was dangerous enough to disrupt water treatment plants and potentially harm the public.
To further emphasise his point, Kejriwal made a daring challenge to key political figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
He openly dared them to drink the contaminated Yamuna water in front of the media, to prove that they were not lying about the safety of the water supply.
Kejriwal’s allegations were supported by Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, who echoed the concerns about the water’s contamination. The AAP leaders emphasised that the ammonia levels in the water were not only harmful to public health but were deliberately high.
According to Kejriwal, the water’s ammonia levels, which were typically around 3 PPM, had surged to 7 PPM after January 21, 2025, which he suggested was part of a planned effort to sabotage Delhi’s water treatment infrastructure and create chaos in the city.
The accusations, however, have not gone unnoticed by the opposition. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini swiftly reacted to Kejriwal’s statements, threatening to take legal action against the Delhi CM.
Saini demanded that Kejriwal apologise to the public for making baseless allegations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined the fray, accusing Kejriwal of insulting the nation with his claims. Modi pointed out that he personally drinks Yamuna water, further dismissing Kejriwal’s remarks as unfounded.
Kejriwal’s claims regarding the contaminated water supply are based on a letter from the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, which stated that the ammonia levels had been dangerously high.
The AAP leader emphasised that such levels of contamination could prove deadly if they reached the water treatment plants, especially when chlorination processes are carried out to purify the water.
The allegations have sparked an intense debate, particularly as clean water remains a critical issue in the ongoing election campaign. Delhi residents, who are already grappling with various urban challenges, are now forced to question the safety of their drinking water.
Kejriwal’s assertion that Haryana’s BJP-led government is responsible for the contamination has added fuel to the political fire, with both sides accusing each other of neglecting public welfare.
The controversy surrounding the Yamuna water supply has added a new layer to the already intense political climate in Delhi. As voters prepare to head to the polls on February 5, the issue of clean water and public health is likely to remain a prominent talking point.
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