EC slams Arvind Kejriwal, demands proof for “poisoning” allegations on Yamuna water supply

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a formal notice to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, requesting a detailed response to his claim that the Haryana government is “mixing poison” in the Yamuna river, which supplies water to Delhi. The Commission has expressed concern that Kejriwal's statement could promote disharmony and enmity between the residents of Haryana and Delhi. It also warned that such statements may lead to public disorder and unrest, urging him to substantiate his claim with proper evidence.

In its communication, the Election Commission noted that Kejriwal had made serious allegations about poisoning the Yamuna without providing sufficient details or evidence. The Commission pointed out that his allegations could cause lasting divisions between identifiable groups living in Haryana and Delhi. It further stated that as a prominent public figure and former Chief Minister, Kejriwal should be aware of the potential consequences of making such statements.

Kejriwal’s remarks were made in the context of an ongoing public health issue, with high ammonia levels found in the Yamuna water being supplied to Delhi. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had reported that the water contained 7 ppm (parts per million) of ammonia, which is 700% above the permissible limit for drinking water. In his response to the EC, Kejriwal claimed that the water received from Haryana was "highly contaminated and extremely poisonous for human health" due to the ammonia content.

However, the Election Commission found Kejriwal's response inadequate. It highlighted that his reply failed to address the specific accusation of poisoning the Yamuna with "poison," which was the central part of his original statement. The EC asked Kejriwal to clarify key aspects of his allegation, including the type of poison allegedly used, the quantity and nature of the poison, the location where it was detected, and the methodology employed by the Delhi Jal Board engineers in identifying and preventing its entry into Delhi’s water supply.

The Commission has demanded that Kejriwal provide a clear, specific, and factual response to these questions by 11 am on Friday. The EC specifically requested that the reply focus solely on the allegation of poisoning, without referring to the long-standing issue of ammonia levels in the Yamuna river, which is under separate scrutiny. The ammonia levels in the Yamuna have been a consistent concern but are not related to the poisoning claims made by Kejriwal.

The Election Commission’s action follows complaints from political parties such as the BJP and Congress, which have raised concerns over Kejriwal’s statements. They have sought that the Commission take appropriate action, arguing that such allegations made during an election campaign could have serious implications for public order and national harmony. The EC has indicated that if Kejriwal fails to provide adequate evidence, it will take further steps in the matter, as it considers the gravity of the allegations and their potential impact on the electoral environment.