EC asks Kejriwal to prove Yamuna poisoning claims by 8 pm Wednesday

New Delhi, January 28:

Yamuna poisoning claim Row: The Election Commission (EC) today asked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to prove his claims of “poisoning” the Yamuna river by neighboring Haryana with facts. The Delhi Chief Minister wrote a strongly-worded letter to the election body on Tuesday seeking details about the chemicals used, which, according to Kejriwal, could put thousands of lives at risk. The EC has given him till 8 PM on Wednesday to present his evidence.

In view of Kejriwal’s statement against Haryana, accusing them of releasing chemicals harmful to the human body into Yamuna river against the safety and security of the water supply from this river to the capital city Delhi, Kejriwal made accusations that engineers working for the Delhi Jal Board found and prevented a disaster from taking place. In response, EC called upon Kejriwal to establish these claims.

The commission also took the liberty of bringing to Kejriwal’s attention some legal provisions in the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code against the spread of “mischievous” comments which could incite action harming national integration or public harmony and invited up to three years in jail for each of them if convicted.

Both the BJP and Congress have lodged complaints against Kejriwal with the EC, stating that he is levelling baseless accusations for political advantage. The parties have pleaded before the commission to ensure strong action against him as he is trying to spread panic and misinformation.

In a related development, Delhi’s Water Minister and Chief Minister-designate Atishi Marlena alleged that rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna, caused by the water supplied by Haryana, posed a serious threat to Delhi’s water supply. She claimed that rising pollution levels in the river may disrupt water treatment processes and will affect millions of residents in the national capital.

The EC has also asked the Haryana government to file a detailed factual report on the allegations. Now, with the deadline looming near, all eyes are on Kejriwal to prove his claims. The issue has set off a fresh round of political tussle between AAP and other rival parties, and water pollution in Yamuna has become a contentious issue ahead of the elections.