Haryana CM Saini drinks water from Yamuna amid AAP's 'poisoning' claim

Amidst the ongoing controversy over Yamuna river, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday drank water from Yamuna near Delhi-Haryana border and slammed AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal for “spreading lies”.

“I drank the water of the holy Yamuna on the border of Haryana without any hesitation. Kejriwal has blatantly lied. Even I'm having relatives in Delhi. The AAP convener should immediately tender an apology,” the chief minister said.

A senior official said that CM Saini visited Dahisara village in Sonepat district from where the Yamuna passes to Delhi at Pallaghat.

“A report of the past 4 months regarding the quality of water was sought from Haryana State Pollution Control Board. After checking the latest report pertaining to January 28, it was revealed that the parameters were below detection limit,” the official told The Tribune.

Responding to Saini's act, Kejriwal claimed that the Haryana CM did not drink the water and instead spat it back into the Yamuna.

"Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini pretended to drink Yamuna water... and then spat it back into the Yamuna. When I said that Yamuna water could be dangerous for the lives of Delhiites due to ammonia contamination, they threatened to file an FIR against me. They want to make the people of Delhi drink the same poisonous water which they themselves cannot drink. I will never let this happen," Kejriwal said.

The Aam Aadmi Party entered into a major political slugfest with the BJP when Kejriwal alleged that the BJP-ruled “Haryana was releasing poison into Yamuna” and “there was an attempt of genocide in the capital.”

On Tuesday, Delhi CM Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann met the Chief Election Commissioner alleging a deliberate act of “water terrorism” by Haryana.

Following the meeting, the Election Commission in a letter to Kejriwal said there must be a factual foundation to his allegations. The poll panel flagged legal provisions that could invite up to three-year imprisonment for “mischievous” statements against national integration and public harmony.

Kejriwal has to respond to the poll body by 8 pm on Wednesday.