Video | Delhi BJP MLA slips into Yamuna as AAP-BJP lock horns over pollution amid Chhath

Delhi BJP MLA Ravinder Singh Negi made an unexpected splash -- literally -- on Monday when he slipped into the Yamuna River during a video shoot for a river-cleaning awareness drive. The Patparganj legislator, who was holding two bottles while standing on the riverbank, suddenly lost his balance and tumbled into the water. Fortunately, his team members quickly pulled him out, and he escaped unhurt.

The entire incident was caught on camera. A man nearby tried to stop Negi from falling but failed, as the MLA clung to a bamboo structure to pull himself up. Soon after, the clip began circulating on social media.

Aam Aadmi Party leaders wasted no time in reacting. MLA Sanjeev Jha shared the video on X, taking a jibe at Negi and his party. “Making empty promises has become a profession for BJP leaders of the national capital,” Jha wrote. In a sarcastic tone, he added, “Perhaps fed up with the politics of lies and showing off, Yamuna Maiyya herself called them to her side.”

The timing of the incident added fuel to the already raging political tussle between Delhi’s ruling BJP and the opposition AAP over the Yamuna’s water quality, especially with Chhath Puja that concluded this morning.

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma recently said that the river’s condition had “significant improvement” compared to last year. He cited data showing a steep decline in faecal coliform bacteria -- dropping from 28,000 units to 8,000 at ISBT, from 18 lakh to 2,700 at Okhla, and from 22 lakh to 1,600 at Agra Canal.