Yamuna river pollution dispute escalates into heated political row between BJP, AAP

A bitter political dispute has erupted over the pollution of the Yamuna river, with BJP and AAP trading sharp accusations. The controversy began when former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Haryana BJP government of polluting the Yamuna, claiming it could lead to a health crisis in the national capital.

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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and several Haryana MPs, including Dharambir Singh, Ram Chander Jangra, Kiran Choudhary, and Rekha Sharma, vehemently denied the allegations and threatened legal action, including a defamation suit against Kejriwal.

During a press conference, Haryana MP Dharambir Singh rejected Kejriwal’s statements, saying they hurt the sentiments of Haryana’s people. Singh explained that Haryana releases only 300 cusecs of water into the Yamuna to prevent the river from drying up. He added that Delhi receives approximately 10,000 cusecs of drinking water, supplied through Western Yamuna Canal, which is treated at Delhi’s four treatment plants before distribution.

Singh criticised the claims of pollution, saying Haryana supplies water despite shortages and Punjab’s refusal to share its water. He alleged that Delhi sends back poor-quality water to Haryana, leading to unfair accusations.

He said, “We continue to provide Delhi with nearly 400 cusecs from our share even after facing shortage as Punjab does not share its water with us. We are being unfairly accused of sending ‘poison’.”

Haryana MP Kiran Choudhary accused AAP of deflecting attention from its own failures in Delhi. She pointed out that the water Haryana provides is tested and safe for drinking but becomes polluted with sewage, plastics, and contaminants as it travels through Delhi’s water system. Choudhary criticised Delhi’s water treatment infrastructure, noting that only 17 of the 37 treatment plants are functioning.

Kejriwal’s statements on Monday intensified the row, with the Delhi CM claiming that BJP in Haryana was mixing “poison” into the water sent to Delhi, which could lead to mass fatalities. He suggested that many areas in Delhi may need to halt their water supply due to the tainted water.