New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday escalated his attack on the BJP and Congress over the Yamuna pollution issue, daring their leaders to drink the river’s water. This comes after the Election Commission (EC) responded to Kejriwal’s allegations, warning him against mixing the issue of increased ammonia levels in Yamuna with his claim of deliberate river poisoning.
The EC has given Kejriwal another opportunity to substantiate his claims against the Haryana government, asking him to provide factual evidence on the type, quantity, and nature of the alleged poisoning. The commission has also demanded details of engineers, locations, and the methodology used by the Delhi Jal Board to detect contamination, setting an 11 a.m. Friday deadline for his response.
Akhilesh Yadav, Shatrughan Sinha Likely to Join AAP Rally
In a show of solidarity, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shatrughan Sinha are expected to participate in AAP rallies this weekend. This move is aimed at appealing to Purvanchali voters in Delhi, bolstering AAP’s electoral strength ahead of the crucial Assembly elections on February 5. While the INDIA bloc allies SP and TMC have shown support for AAP, the Congress has opted to contest the elections independently.
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi Criticize Kejriwal’s Governance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have both launched sharp attacks on Kejriwal and AAP ahead of the Delhi elections. PM Modi criticized the Delhi Assembly for its lack of legislative progress, noting that only 14 laws were passed in the last five years, five of which were related to MLA salary hikes. Rahul Gandhi accused Kejriwal of failing to clean the Yamuna, challenging him to take a dip in the river and drink its water if he claims it is safe.
AAP’s Seven Guarantees for Domestic Workers
Days before the Delhi polls, Kejriwal announced seven guarantees for domestic workers employed at government residences. These include:
- A servant registration portal to help workers find employment.
- Hostels for unemployed workers.
- Mobile mohalla clinics for healthcare support.
- Salary and working-hour regulations.
- Rs 10 lakh insurance cover for domestic workers.
- Rs 1 lakh financial aid for daughters’ weddings.
- Free education for workers’ children.
Kejriwal claimed that 70-80% of domestic helpers in government residences are unpaid and treated like “bonded labor,” with only servant quarters provided in return for their work. He also alleged that many MPs and ministers have illegally rented out servant quarters, calling it a criminal offense.
Kejriwal Slams Election Commission, Alleges Bias
In a fiery press conference, Kejriwal accused Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar of being biased, alleging that the EC is turning a blind eye to cash and blanket distribution in Delhi. He claimed that Rajiv Kumar is acting out of political motivations to secure a post-retirement job.
“I want to say with respect that the ECI is doing politics. Rajiv Kumar has made a mess of the poll body. History will not forgive him,” Kejriwal said.
AAP’s Latest Yamuna Protest: ‘Drink the Water’ Challenge
Kejriwal intensified his protest by presenting bottles of Yamuna water with 7 PPM ammonia, mixed with chlorine, claiming it was hazardous. He challenged BJP and Congress leaders, including Amit Shah, Virendra Sachdeva, Nayab Singh Saini, and Rahul Gandhi, to drink the water publicly to prove its safety.
“The BJP and Congress have joined hands to put the health of Delhiites at risk,” he alleged. “Sanjay Singh will deliver these water bottles to BJP headquarters. If they have the courage, they should drink this water in a press conference.”
Delhi Assembly Elections: A Fierce Battle
With Delhi set to vote on February 5 and results to be declared on February 8, AAP faces a tough challenge from the BJP, which is looking to reclaim power after 25 years. AAP, which has governed the capital for a decade, is banking on its governance record and social welfare promises to secure another term.
As the election date nears, the political heat continues to rise, with Kejriwal and his opponents engaged in a high-stakes battle over governance, corruption, and public welfare.
Source: PTI and media
