'ECI doing politics because its chief wants job post-retirement': Kejriwal
What's the story
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has launched a scathing attack on Election Commission of India (ECI) and its chief Rajiv Kumar.
This comes after the ECI dismissed his explanation regarding his previous allegations that Yamuna River was deliberately poisoned by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal accused Kumar of politicizing the election body and said if he wants to do politics, he should contest in Delhi elections.
Election backdrop
Controversy unfolds ahead of Delhi assembly elections
"ECI is doing politics because Rajiv Kumar wants a job after his retirement. He has damaged Election Commission unlike anyone else in the history of India. I know they will put me in jail within 2 days," Kejriwal alleged.
"Let them do it...If he wants to do politics, let him contest elections from any seat in Delhi...I will send three bottles (containing 7 PPM ammonia-contaminated water with chlorine mixed into it) to the Election Commission as well..., to Rajiv Kumar."
Twitter Post
AAP leaders carry ammonia-contaminated water to BJP HQ
#WATCH | AAP MP Sanjay Singh and party leaders Shelly Oberoi & Reena Gupta reach near BJP HQ, carrying 3 bottles of 7 PPM ammonia-contaminated water amid the row with Haryana Government over river Yamuna water. pic.twitter.com/LwEIZq1AGK
— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2025
Evidence sought
ECI demands evidence for Yamuna poisoning claims
The controversy started when Kejriwal alleged that Haryana was deliberately poisoning the Yamuna River to sabotage Delhi's water supply.
The ECI quickly served him a notice, asking him to substantiate the claims.
Defending himself, Kejriwal said his remarks were meant to highlight a "legitimate civic concern" over deteriorating drinking water quality in Delhi.
He cited a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO letter, which noted rising ammonia levels in water supplied from Haryana.
Ongoing dispute
ECI's response and Kejriwal's defense
The ECI has now asked Kejriwal to submit specific evidence backing his allegations of deliberate poisoning by Friday at 11:00am.
The commission said water availability is a governance issue and shouldn't be conflated with election matters. It also cited existing agreements and legal directives on water issues.
It has asked Kejriwal to explain what type of poison the Haryana government added to the Yamuna River and how DJB engineers stopped the contaminated water from entering Delhi.