Congress Leader Sandeep Dikshit Urges Probe Into AAP’s ‘Poisoned Yamuna’ Claim

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th Jan. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Tuesday wrote to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, urging an investigation into Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi over their explosive claim that the BJP-led Haryana government had poisoned Yamuna water, which Kejriwal suggested could have caused a “genocide” in the national capital.

In his letter, Dikshit accused Kejriwal and Atishi of misleading the public with baseless allegations and called for swift action. “He [Kejriwal] is lying and still allowed to roam free. If a common man alleges the government of genocide, he would be in jail the very next day. I am surprised that no action is being taken against him by Haryana Police or Delhi Police. Where is the Election Commission?” Dikshit questioned.

Addressing an election rally on Monday, Kejriwal accused the BJP government in Haryana of deliberately contaminating the Yamuna with high levels of ammonia, claiming it could have resulted in mass casualties in Delhi.

“The Delhi Jal Board was vigilant enough to stop that water from coming to Delhi. Otherwise, it would have caused mass genocide in Delhi. The BJP government has mixed a kind of poison in the water that cannot be treated even by water treatment plants,” Kejriwal said.

He likened the situation to acts of warfare between hostile nations, stating, “Such politics is usually carried out by two enemy countries—like when the USA bombed Japan with nuclear bombs. A few countries use biological weapons to poison river water. But the same has been done by the BJP government.”

Kejriwal reiterated these claims to the media, sparking intense backlash.

Calling Kejriwal’s statement “a serious allegation,” Sandeep Dikshit demanded clarity on the nature of the alleged poison. “What kind of poison was there in the water? This is a matter that cannot be ignored,” Dikshit said.

The BJP also issued a sharp rebuttal, condemning Kejriwal’s remarks and demanding an apology. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini denied the accusations, asserting that people in Haryana revere the Yamuna and that the allegations were defamatory. “We will not tolerate such baseless statements. Legal action, including a defamation case, will be initiated,” Saini warned.

Amid the escalating controversy, the Election Commission directed the Haryana government to submit a factual report by January 28 on the allegations of increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi. This followed a joint representation submitted by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The heated exchange comes at a critical time, with Delhi set to vote on February 5 to elect its 70-member Legislative Assembly. The allegations and counter-allegations have further intensified the political battle, with the BJP and Congress both accusing AAP of using fear-mongering tactics to gain electoral mileage.

As the issue gains traction, all eyes are on the Election Commission’s report and potential legal actions that could follow. The controversy is expected to dominate the campaign narrative in the run-up to polling day.