NewDelhi: In a heated press conference on Thursday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal leveled strong accusations against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, claiming that the CEC was engaging in political games over the row surrounding his statement about Haryana “poisoning” the Yamuna water. Kejriwal’s remarks came after the Election Commission issued a notice, demanding proof for his claim that contaminated water from Haryana had disrupted Delhi’s water supply.
Kejriwal, who is under scrutiny for alleging that the water sent from Haryana had dangerously high ammonia levels, suggested that Rajiv Kumar’s actions were motivated by personal ambitions, claiming the CEC sought a post-retirement job. Kejriwal further challenged the Election Commission to drink the contaminated Yamuna water, offering to send bottles of the water for Kumar and his colleagues.
“We have 20 bottles. We will send three to the Election Commission. Let Rajiv Kumar ji and his Election Commissioners drink this water at a press conference,” Kejriwal stated, accusing the Commission of ignoring widespread corruption and manipulation in the Delhi elections.
The Election Commission, in a letter, demanded that Kejriwal provide concrete evidence for his claims and respond to specific questions about the alleged contamination by 11 am on Friday, warning that failure to comply could result in action against him.
Kejriwal, who has been vocal about the rising ammonia levels in Delhi’s water supply, held up four bottles of contaminated water at the press conference, challenging prominent political leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, to drink the water.
In a further escalation of his accusations, Kejriwal amplified his charge against Saini, claiming that after taking a sip of the Yamuna water, the Haryana CM had spat it out, suggesting the water was “foul” or “contaminated.” He also cited rising ammonia levels, which he claimed made the water unfit for human consumption, and criticized Haryana officials for allegedly refusing to address the issue.
As the political storm over Delhi’s water contamination continues to brew, Kejriwal’s confrontational tone suggests the tensions between the AAP government, the Election Commission, and rival political parties are far from over.
