The Yamuna river in Delhi has become a political talking point ahead of winter and Chhath Puja. The debate intensified after BJP MP Manoj Tiwari took a dip in the river and praised the Delhi government’s efforts to improve its cleanliness. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju later joined the discussion, jokingly challenging Tiwari to a swimming competition in the Yamuna.
Tiwari Praises Clean-Up Efforts

Tiwari visited Sonia Vihar on Thursday ahead of Chhath Puja and entered the river. The North East Delhi MP expressed happiness over what he described as an improvement in water cleanliness. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi government led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for their efforts to provide residents with a cleaner Yamuna.

Tiwari also said his visit was intended to highlight the river’s condition rather than embarrass AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. While commenting on the water, he referred to the presence of crocodiles as a sign of cleanliness, a claim that does not by itself establish whether the river water is safe.

Rijiju’s Swimming Race Remark
Reacting to a video of Tiwari taking a dip, Rijiju posted a light-hearted message on X suggesting that the two leaders could compete in a swimming race in what he described as the cleaner waters of the Yamuna. His remark added another layer to the political exchange over the river’s condition.

AAP Disputes BJP’s Cleanliness Claims
The Aam Aadmi Party challenged Tiwari’s account, alleging that the water at the site was black and heavily polluted. AAP workers claimed that the dip took place during a cleaning drive at the Yamuna ghat and disputed claims about the river’s cleanliness. The party also rejected the suggestion that the water was fit to drink.

Saurabh Bharadwaj Issues an Open Challenge
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP of misleading the public and described Tiwari’s actions as political theatrics ahead of Chhath Puja. He challenged Tiwari and Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma to visit the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj, where a drain enters the river, and demonstrate the water’s condition through a livestream.

Bharadwaj also argued that the stretch of the Yamuna from Palla to Wazirabad had historically been cleaner, while identifying the entry of the Najafgarh drain near Signature Bridge as a major source of pollution.

Yamuna Pollution Becomes a Political Flashpoint
With Chhath Puja approaching, the condition of the Yamuna has once again become a subject of political debate in Delhi. The BJP has highlighted its river-cleaning efforts, while AAP has questioned whether the improvements are sufficient. The competing claims have brought renewed attention to the river’s pollution levels and the need for reliable water-quality assessments.