‘Will not get swayed by personal attack...’: EC responds to Kejriwal’s bias charge over ‘poisoning Yamuna’ row

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal visited the Election Commission's office and submitted a second response on 'poisoning Yamuna' remark

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar (right) AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal’s reply will be examined in detail and decided on merit, the Election Commission said taking note of Kejriwal’s reply to its notice over his “poisoning river Yamuna” remark. The AAP leader visited the Election Commission’s office in person on Friday and submitted his second response to the issue.

“The Commission gave a patient hearing to AAP leader Sh Kejriwal, at a very short notice today & received his reply,” the poll body said in a post on X. “The Full Commission, without getting swayed by personal insinuations & offensive strategy being in play, decided to examine reply in detail & take decision(s) on merit,” it added.

The Election Commission’s response comes a day after the former Delhi chief minister launched a scathing attack against the poll body and Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, and accused them of favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The attack came after the EC issued second notice to Kejriwal, seeking specific replies regarding his “poisoning river Yamuna” remark. Though Kejriwal had sent a 14-page reply to the poll body, the Commission said it was “entirely silent” regarding his allegations and lacked evidence.

Kejriwal on Thursday said, “I want to say to Rajiv Kumar that history will not forgive you. Rajiv Kumar has made a mess of the poll body.”. The AAP leader alleged the CEC is looking for a job post-retirement.

Kejriwal submitted his second response visiting the poll body’s office on Friday. Kejriwal did not have any prior appointments. The AAP leader was accompanied by the party’s chief ministers—Atishi and Bhagawant Singh Mann—while he visited the office.

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