Ahead of polls: Delhi & Haryana CMs spar over ‘ammonia’ in Yamuna water

Chandigarh: In the run-up to the Delhi assembly elections, tensions have once again flared between chief minister Atishi and her Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini over the pollution in the Yamuna, particularly the alleged traces of ammonia in the river water reaching the national capital.
Minutes after Atishi accused Haryana and the BJP govt, a claim further endorsed by former chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Saini hit back, accusing the "mismanagement and misrule" of the AAP-led govt in the national capital for the problems being faced by the Delhi residents regarding drinking water.
"It is his (Kejriwal) mindset to run away after leveling allegations. Ek kahawat hai, thooko aur bhago. Ye agar kahin dekhne ko milta hai vo Kejriwal main dekhne ko milta hai (there is a saying, run away after spitting. If this is seen anywhere, it is in Kejriwal)," said Saini.
"I told them, you send your chief secretary and we shall ask our chief secretary, and they should go to Sonipat where from water goes to Delhi. Anybody can get it tested as to what kind of water we are giving. They talk about ammonia. But they are not bothered. They are blaming less supply," said Saini, accusing the AAP govt of lacking the will to sort out water-related issues.
Saini was responding to the allegations made by Atishi, which were further endorsed by Kejriwal on his X handle. Earlier in the day, Atishi, while briefing the media about the assembly elections, blamed the BJP in general and especially Haryana on the issue of Yamuna waters.
"They are blaming water shortage. They don't have any water shortage; rather, they lack the will. There are shortcomings in their distribution system. In the last 10 years, they have not been able to correct the distribution system in New Delhi. Rather, they now speak about dirty water," Saini said when asked to respond to the allegations made by the Delhi CM.
Saini even elaborated on how he was asking the people of Delhi as well as the AAP leaders to come and see the system in Haryana. "10 years ago, our women used to fetch water from far-off places. But today, we have put a system in place, and they are getting drinking water through taps in their households," he said while questioning Kejriwal about his promises.
"He (Kejriwal) promised to clean Yamuna and allowed waste of 28 drains of Delhi flow into the Yamuna in a planned way. What have you done? You are blaming others. Don't blame, rather set your house in order," said Saini.
Atishi had alleged that the BJP was deliberately disrupting Delhi's water supply in a bid to sway public opinion in its favour. She also claimed the presence of ammonia in the Yamuna water, which was measured at 7.2 ppm.
MSID:: 117606507 413 |