In a heated political exchange over pollution, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched a scathing attack on former Delhi Chief Minister AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being the “biggest polluter” and failing to deliver on his decade-old promise to clean the Yamuna River.
Speaking to reporters in Kurukshetra, Saini claimed Kejriwal’s inaction had worsened the pollution crisis, with untreated wastewater from 28 drains in Delhi flowing directly into the river. “Kejriwal couldn’t even fulfil his first promise—cleaning the Yamuna—despite being in power for years. He is himself a source of pollution,” Saini said, further predicting that the BJP would sweep next year’s Delhi elections and oust the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from power.
The political slugfest took another turn when Delhi Chief Minister Atishi retaliated, blaming the BJP’s “dirty politics” for the pollution crisis. She argued that the BJP had failed to address industrial wastewater discharge into the Yamuna and was using political rhetoric to avoid accountability. Atishi also criticized Saini’s government for questioning AAP’s efforts without acknowledging the challenges posed by untreated water inflows from Haryana.
Saini, doubling down on his allegations, demanded that the AAP disclose how it had utilized the funds allocated by the central government for river-cleaning projects.
The war of words reflects the growing tension between Haryana and Delhi, with both governments shifting blame over the worsening environmental situation in the region. As political leaders gear up for elections, the Yamuna’s pollution has become a flashpoint, raising questions about governance, inter-state cooperation, and accountability in addressing ecological issues.