A political standoff erupted on Tuesday between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over allegations of "poisoned water" being supplied to Delhi via the Yamuna river. The Congress, amid this growing controversy, has intervened by demanding action from the Election Commission (EC) against both parties, depending on the validity of the claims. The row began when AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, filed complaints about ammonia levels in the Yamuna, alleging contamination due to actions by the Haryana government.

Kejriwal accused the BJP of using Haryana to deliberately contaminate Delhi’s water supply, calling it an unprecedented act of sabotage. His allegations of "water terrorism" were based on high ammonia levels in the Yamuna, which AAP claimed were toxic and would endanger the health of Delhi residents if the water were consumed. However, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) dismissed these claims as false.

The BJP responded fiercely, with Haryana CM Nayab Saini and Labour Minister Anil Vij attacking Kejriwal for what they called "baseless accusations." Despite this, AAP continued with its claims, with Kejriwal and Atishi accusing the BJP of trying to create chaos ahead of the Delhi elections.

Meanwhile, Congress, which is also part of the INDIA opposition bloc, shifted its focus to AAP’s handling of the situation. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who is contesting against Kejriwal in the New Delhi Assembly seat, criticized AAP for not addressing the alleged water pollution issue earlier and questioned the lack of action from Haryana Police.

The timing of this controversy is significant, with the AAP facing political pressure over its unfulfilled promises from the 2020 Delhi elections, notably cleaning the Yamuna and providing drinkable water. Although Kejriwal admitted failure on these fronts, he vowed to fulfill these promises if his party is re-elected.

The BJP seized on this admission, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah mocking Kejriwal's past promises and urging him to take a symbolic dip in the polluted Yamuna. Shah's remarks were a direct jab at Kejriwal's earlier promises to purify the river within seven years, which remain unfulfilled according to reports from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

With multiple cleaning projects behind schedule and the Delhi Jal Board’s delays, the water quality of the Yamuna remains a contentious issue in Delhi politics. As this controversy continues, it remains to be seen how the Election Commission and the public will respond to the ongoing water allegations and political rhetoric.