Amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged “poisoning” of the Yamuna river, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during a rally in Delhi’s Kartar Nagar on Wednesday. Accusing the AAP of disrespecting the people of Haryana, Modi said the party’s allegations were “disgusting” and that the people of the country would never forgive them for such claims.
The political slugfest began when former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the BJP-ruled Haryana government was “releasing poison into the Yamuna.” The AAP has long accused Haryana of releasing untreated industrial waste into the river, which flows through Delhi and is a major source of water for the capital.
Addressing a packed crowd, PM Modi dismissed the allegations as absurd and politically motivated. “A former CM of Delhi has levelled disgusting allegations against the people of Haryana. You tell me, are the people of Haryana different from those of Delhi? Their kids, relatives live in Delhi. Can they poison the water which their kids are drinking?” he questioned.
Modi also highlighted his personal connection to the issue, stating, “I have been drinking the same water which comes from Haryana for the past 11 years. Judges, diplomats, the poor, and the rich—all drink the same water. Does AAP think the BJP government in Haryana would poison the water to kill Modi? What kind of absurd claim is this?”
Criticism of AAP’s Governance
The Prime Minister didn’t stop at the Yamuna issue. He criticized the AAP government’s decade-long rule in Delhi, accusing it of failing to address the city’s basic problems. “You first saw Congress rule for 14 years and then AAP’s rule for 10 years. Still, the condition is the same: traffic is in a mess, there is water-logging and pollution, and people do not even have clean drinking water,” he said.
Modi also took a dig at the AAP’s repeated promises to clean the Yamuna, saying, “Those who built ‘Sheesh Mahal’ and looted crores of public money can never think of the welfare of the poor.”
In contrast to AAP’s alleged failures, Modi listed the achievements of his government, particularly in improving water access across the country. “Before we came to power, the country had only three crore rural household tap connections. In the last five years, we have given 12 crore new connections. We are not among those who stop schemes; we give them impetus,” he said.
Delhi’s Future
PM Modi expressed confidence that the people of Delhi would elect a government on February 5 that prioritizes their welfare. “The people of Delhi have decided to elect a government which will build houses for the poor, provide water to every household, and free the capital of the tanker mafia,” he said.
Political Implications
The Yamuna pollution controversy has become a flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between the BJP and AAP, with both parties trying to position themselves as champions of environmental and public health issues. While the AAP has accused the BJP of neglecting the river’s condition, the BJP has countered by highlighting AAP’s alleged mismanagement of Delhi’s resources.
As the debate intensifies, the Yamuna issue is likely to remain a key talking point in the run-up to the upcoming elections, with both sides vying for public trust on matters of governance and environmental stewardship.