New Delhi:
The ‘poison in the Yamuna water’ controversy rumbled on Wednesday evening after Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini took a sip of water “without hesitation” and directly from the river as it flows past Delhi’s Palla village. “… I drank the water of the holy Yamuna on the Haryana border. (Delhi Chief Minister) Atishiji did not come. She must be making up a new lie (but) lies have no legs. That is why the lies of AAP-da (the BJP’s new pejorative for the Aam Aadmi Party) are not working,” he said on X.
“The god-like people of Delhi have recognised these deceivers. The end of AAP’s era of deceit is certain on February 5 (when Delhi votes). People of Delhi will punish Haryana’s ungrateful son, Arvind Kejriwal, because our brotherhood has been strong for centuries…” Mr Saini declared.
In the video shared widely online, Mr Saini is seen at the bank with an aide crouching unsteadily by his side. The BJP leader bends over, splashes the water about for a few seconds and then takes a sip.
As the 57-second video plays out, Mr Saini then repeats the gesture, smacks his lips, and then scoops up some more water and then sprinkles it over his body. He then consults with a second aide who shows him a file (contents unknown at this time), and then, again, splashes his hands in the water.
बेहिचक और बेझिझक पवित्र यमुना के जल का आचमन किया हरियाणा की सीमा पर।
आतिशी जी तो आईं नहीं।कोई नया झूठ रच रही होंगी।झूठ के पांव नहीं होते।इसलिए आप-दा का झूठ चल नहीं पा रहा।
दिल्ली की देवतुल्य जनता इन फ़रेबियों को पहचान चुकी है।5 फ़रवरी को आप-दा के फरेब काल का अंत निश्चित है।… pic.twitter.com/EAG4pXjCFr
— Nayab Saini (@NayabSainiBJP) January 29, 2025
Mr Saini’s government has been accused, by AAP boss Arvind Kejriwal, of mixing “poison” in water supplied to the national capital. The “poison” refers to high levels of ammonia in the water.
READ | Row Over Kejriwal’s “Haryana Mixing Poison In Yamuna” Claim
The allegation – which led to a shrill exchange between the AAP and the BJP, with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accusing the latter of “water terrorism” and a fierce retort from Union Home Minister Amit Shah – was dragged to the notice of the Election Commission as a potential violation of the Model Code before next week’s Assembly election. The EC gave Mr Kejriwal till 8 pm (tonight) to provide proof, warning that failure to do so could be seen as making dangerous comments and invite a three-year jail term.
Meanwhile, the BJP – led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who earlier today thundered that he too drinks the same water and that his party wouldn’t dare ‘poison’ the water he consumes – has hit back hard, counter accusing Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP of spreading lies and false information.
READ | “Can Haryana BJP Govt Poison Water I Drink?” PM Blasts AAP
For his part, Mr Saini firmly denied any claim of ‘poisoning’ the water and demanded Mr Kejriwal apologise for his “blatantly false and disgusting statements”. The Haryana government has also indicated it will file a case against the AAP leader for having spread “panic” among the people.
Mr Kejriwal made his dramatic claim Monday.
The BJP, he declared, had done “something that may never have been done in history”. It was only the “vigilance” of the Delhi Jal Board, he said, that had “saved” the city’s residents.
However, the water body refused to play ball, insisting the AAP leader’s statements were “factually incorrect” and “without any basis”.