Amit Shah challenges Arvind Kejriwal to take on the Yamuna
Amit Shah Mocks Arvind Kejriwal Over Unfulfilled Promise to Clean Yamuna River
Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah recently took a swipe at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal over his unfulfilled promise to clean up the Delhi stretch of River Yamuna to resemble Britain’s River Thames. With less than two weeks left for the Delhi assembly election, Mr. Shah highlighted the issue of pollution, both air and water, in the national capital.
Dig at Kejriwal’s Promise
During a rally, Amit Shah criticized Arvind Kejriwal for failing to deliver on his promise to purify River Yamuna in seven years and transform it like London’s River Thames. He even challenged Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna in front of Delhiites, a promise that remains unfulfilled. Shah taunted Kejriwal, suggesting that if he doesn’t want to dip in the Yamuna, he should go to the Mahakumbh and cleanse himself of his sins there.
BJP’s Counter Promise
In a bold statement, Mr. Shah promised that if the BJP comes to power in Delhi, they would clean River Yamuna in just three years, contrasting with Kejriwal’s unmet seven-year pledge. The BJP leader also accused the AAP chief of breaking his promise to not occupy a government bungalow and squandering Rs 51 crore on a lavish 50,000 square-foot “Sheesh Mahal.”
Accusations and Criticisms
Amit Shah further lambasted Arvind Kejriwal, stating that the Delhi government under the AAP makes promises it doesn’t fulfill and presents a false image to the public. Shah remarked that in his political career, he has never encountered anyone who lies as blatantly as Kejriwal does.
Challenges and Provocations
Parvesh Verma, BJP candidate from the New Delhi constituency, added to the criticism by displaying a poster of Kejriwal over the polluted Yamuna River, joining the chorus of voices calling for its clean-up. This move aimed to draw attention to the delayed projects aimed at reducing pollution in the river, as highlighted in a report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee submitted to the National Green Tribunal in October 2023.
Continued Criticism
This isn’t the first time a BJP leader has challenged Arvind Kejriwal to take a dip in the contaminated river. Previously, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath challenged Kejriwal and accused him of turning the sacred Yamuna into a polluted drain. The ongoing criticism and challenges highlight the significance of the issue of cleaning up the Yamuna River in Delhi and the political implications it carries.