The controversy surrounding former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s remarks on Yamuna pollution has intensified since Monday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader accused Haryana’s BJP-led government of “poisoning” the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi, claiming this act was intended to harm the city’s residents and shift the blame onto AAP.

On Tuesday, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini issued a strong rebuttal, warning of legal action against Kejriwal for his “false and outrageous” allegations. Saini demanded a public apology, stating, “For these blatantly false and disgusting statements, Kejriwal should immediately apologize to the people of Haryana and Delhi. Otherwise, we will file a defamation suit against him.”

Taking a dig at Kejriwal, Saini labeled him a “disaster” for Delhi and expressed confidence that the BJP would remove AAP from power in the upcoming elections. “With the blessings of the people of Delhi, BJP will free Delhi from this ‘Aapda’,” he remarked.

Refuting Kejriwal’s claims, Saini argued that Delhi’s water issues stemmed from poor management of the distribution system during Kejriwal’s decade-long tenure. He added, “If there’s an issue, let both our chief secretaries inspect the water quality at Sonipat, where it enters Delhi. There is no water scarcity; the problem lies in distribution. Instead of working, he makes baseless allegations.”

Haryana Minister Anil Vij also dismissed Kejriwal’s claims, branding him a “factory of lies.” Vij urged journalists to test water quality at the Delhi border, claiming it deteriorates only after entering the capital. “It’s not our responsibility to clean the river in Delhi. That was Kejriwal’s job, which he failed to do,” Vij said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO Shilpa Shinde contradicted Kejriwal’s assertions in a letter to the Chief Secretary, calling his statements “factually incorrect.” The letter noted that water treatment plants could handle ammonia levels up to 2.5 ppm through dilution but flagged concerns about recent ammonia levels reaching 6.5 ppm—six times the acceptable limit.

Delhi CM Atishi defended Kejriwal, alleging that the DJB CEO’s letter was issued under pressure from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Atishi accused the BJP of conspiring to provide poisonous water to Delhi and using the Lieutenant Governor to manipulate Delhi government officials. She further emphasized that the ammonia levels in Yamuna water were alarmingly high and called for accountability.

As the war of words escalates, the Yamuna pollution issue has become yet another flashpoint between the BJP and AAP, reflecting deeper political and administrative tensions.