The Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded to AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations regarding the contamination of Yamuna water, urging him "not to mix the issue of increased ammonia levels with his claims of poisoning".
Kejriwal had linked the polluted water to mass genocide, equating it with an act of war between nations.
In a notice to Kejriwal, the Commission requested that he provide factual evidence concerning the nature, type, quantity, and manner of the alleged poisoning of Yamuna water, as well as details on the engineers and locations involved in detecting the alleged poison.
The Commission has granted Kejriwal until 11 am on Friday to respond. If he fails to provide the requested information, the ECI warned it would take appropriate action in the matter.
The ECI also emphasised that water availability and quality are governance issues and should be addressed by the concerned governments.
It refrained from arbitration on the long-standing water-sharing and pollution concerns, which are already subject to Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal rulings. The Commission highlighted that there is no reason for anyone to dispute these established positions.
Kejriwal’s remarks about the alleged poisoning of Yamuna water, which he claimed was a threat to public health, were made in response to accusations from the Haryana BJP government.
Kejriwal stated that his comments were in the interest of public duty, to highlight the severe toxicity in the water supplied to Delhi.
Both the BJP and Congress have lodged complaints with the Election Commission against Kejriwal, accusing him of making unfounded allegations that could disrupt public order and harmony.
In his letter to the Commission, Kejriwal defended his remarks, asserting that they were made to address the imminent health threat posed by the contaminated water supplied by Haryana.
However, the Commission has called for a more substantiated response to avoid any potential repercussions during the election period.
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