New Delhi [India]: The Yamuna water controversy has taken a dramatic turn ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections 2025, with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accusing Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini of “pretending” to drink Yamuna water and then spitting it out.
Kejriwal’s Accusation
Kejriwal, who had earlier alleged that the Haryana government had “poisoned” Yamuna water supplied to Delhi, doubled down on his claims in a post on X. Sharing a video of CM Saini taking a sip from the Yamuna, Kejriwal wrote:
“Haryana CM Naib Singh Saini pretended to drink Yamuna water and then spat it back. When I said the water could be dangerous due to ammonia contamination, they threatened to file an FIR against me. They want to force Delhi residents to drink this poisonous water. I will never let this happen.”
Haryana CM’s Response
हरियाणा के मुख्यमंत्री नायब सिंह सैनी जी ने यमुना का पानी पीने का ढोंग किया… और फिर वही पानी वापस यमुना में थूक दिया।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 29, 2025
जब मैंने कहा कि अमोनिया की मिलावट के कारण यमुना का पानी दिल्लीवालों की जान के लिए ख़तरा हो सकता है, तो इन्होंने मुझ पर FIR करने की धमकी दी।
जिस ज़हरीले पानी… pic.twitter.com/xQEVAu9bWh
In response, CM Naib Singh Saini dismissed Kejriwal’s allegations, calling them “unfortunate” and an attempt to “create fear for political gains.”
“Today, I came to the banks of the Yamuna in Palla village and took a sip of its water to prove Kejriwal’s claim wrong. He falsely accused the Haryana BJP government of poisoning the river and even talked about mass genocide. Water samples have been tested, and no poison was found,” said Saini.
Accusing Kejriwal of spreading misinformation, Saini further said:
“Arvind Kejriwal has lied all his life.”
Political Reactions Intensify
The controversy erupted when Kejriwal alleged on Monday that the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi was contaminated with harmful levels of ammonia, potentially endangering millions.
His remarks sparked a major backlash from the BJP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slamming Kejriwal during a rally:
“People of ‘Aapda’ (AAP) claim that Haryana mixes poison in Delhi’s water. This is an insult not just to Haryana but to the entire nation. In our culture, providing drinking water is considered a noble act. Such fear of losing elections has made them say anything. Delhi will teach them a lesson!”
Delhi Elections 2025: High-Stakes Battle
The heated exchange comes as Delhi gears up for Assembly elections on February 5, with counting scheduled for February 8. AAP is facing a strong challenge from the BJP, which is looking to make inroads after AAP’s successive victories in 2015 and 2020.
With 699 candidates contesting for 70 Assembly seats, the Yamuna water controversy has now become a major flashpoint in the campaign.