Arvind Kejriwal Defends ‘Poisoned Water’ Remark in Response to EC Notice

AAP leader says his statement was a public duty to highlight water contamination; BJP and Congress file complaints over his allegations against Haryana.

New Delhi, January 30: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal has defended his controversial remarks accusing the BJP-led Haryana government of “poisoning” the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi. In his official response to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, Kejriwal stated that his statements were made in the interest of public welfare and should not be interpreted as an offence.

“Statements were made in furtherance of an imperative public duty to highlight the severe toxicity and contamination of raw water received from Haryana, which presents an imminent and direct threat to public health,” Kejriwal wrote in his letter to the ECI.

Kejriwal Cites Ammonia Contamination to Justify Claims

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO had earlier refuted Kejriwal’s claims, calling them factually incorrect. However, in his response to the ECI, Kejriwal referenced the ammonia levels mentioned in the DJB report itself to further support his concerns.

He emphasized the health risks associated with ammonia contamination, which can lead to:

✅ Liver and kidney dysfunction
✅ Neurological impairment
✅ Encephalopathy (brain damage due to toxins in the blood)

Election Commission Demands Evidence

The controversy erupted after Kejriwal alleged that the Haryana government had poisoned the Yamuna, warning that if the contaminated water had reached Delhi’s supply, it could have led to mass fatalities, even genocide.

In response, the Election Commission asked Kejriwal to provide:

🔹 Scientific proof of the alleged poisoning
🔹 Details on the chemical supposedly used
🔹 Evidence from Delhi Jal Board engineers confirming detection and prevention

Both the BJP and Congress filed complaints against Kejriwal’s statements, calling them serious false allegations aimed at misleading voters before the Delhi Assembly elections on February 5, 2025.

The ECI directed Kejriwal to submit his response with factual and legal evidence by 8 PM on January 29 to facilitate further examination of the matter.

A New Flashpoint in the Delhi Elections

With the Delhi elections just days away, the AAP-BJP-Congress battle has intensified. The Yamuna water row has now become a major election issue, raising concerns over state accountability, governance, and political mudslinging.

Will Kejriwal’s defense hold, or will the Election Commission take action? The political storm surrounding this issue is far from over.