Ajay Maken Criticizes Arvind Kejriwal Over Water Controversy in Delhi
On Tuesday, senior Congress leader Ajay Maken strongly criticized Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal regarding his recent statement about Delhi’s water supply. Maken stated that if Kejriwal’s claim about contamination in Delhi’s water is untrue, it amounts to an act of betrayal. He also demanded a thorough investigation into the matter to determine the accuracy of Kejriwal’s allegations against the Haryana government.
The controversy erupted when Kejriwal accused the Haryana administration of deliberately contaminating Delhi’s water supply, even going so far as to claim that this amounted to an intentional attack on the residents of the capital. The statement quickly gained attention, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and officials. The Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, responded strongly, threatening legal action against Kejriwal for making unverified allegations. Additionally, the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board refuted Kejriwal’s claims, labeling them baseless and lacking factual backing.
Maken asserted that if Kejriwal is spreading falsehoods, then strict measures should be taken against him. However, he also emphasized that if the Haryana government is indeed responsible for water contamination, they should face consequences. His remarks aimed to push for accountability on both sides rather than taking a partisan stance.
The controversy over Delhi’s water supply has arrived at a crucial political moment, as the city gears up for the upcoming assembly elections on February 5. The election results, which will be declared on February 8, have placed major political parties on high alert. The Congress leader also took the opportunity to highlight that only his party is capable of taking on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the national level. He cautioned other opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), against extending support to AAP, arguing that this could weaken Congress’s efforts to challenge the BJP effectively.
In the previous two assembly elections, AAP had achieved resounding victories, securing 67 out of 70 seats in 2015 and maintaining dominance with 62 seats in 2020. Meanwhile, the Congress failed to win any seats, struggling to regain its political influence in the capital after ruling Delhi for 15 years under Sheila Dikshit’s leadership. Maken’s remarks were seen as an attempt to consolidate support for Congress ahead of the upcoming elections.
As the controversy unfolds, the Election Commission has also stepped in, asking Kejriwal to provide concrete evidence supporting his allegations regarding water contamination by 8 PM. This directive comes amid rising tensions, with the Delhi electorate closely watching how events unfold.
This issue has further polarized political discourse in Delhi, as parties continue to engage in a war of words over governance and public services. The accusations and counter-accusations have turned water supply management into a focal point of election discussions, raising concerns among residents about the reliability and safety of their essential resources.
Beyond the immediate political repercussions, the controversy highlights larger concerns over water management and inter-state relations. Delhi’s dependency on Haryana for water has often been a contentious issue, with disagreements surfacing periodically over supply and quality. This latest dispute adds another layer of complexity to an already sensitive subject.
While the political battle intensifies, the people of Delhi await clarity on whether their water supply is indeed safe or if corrective actions need to be taken. The upcoming days are expected to see further developments as investigations continue and political campaigns gain momentum ahead of the elections.