Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
Arvind Kejriwal said that he is not cleaning Yamuna as it will not get him any votes.
Fact
Clipped video of Kejriwal shared out of context.
Ahead of the Delhi Assembly Polls, a video of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal purportedly saying that cleaning Yamuna river would not fetch votes has gone viral on social media platforms.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the video with the text overlay claiming, “Yamuna is not being cleaned because it will not help in securing votes.” In the video, the host is heard saying, “..Emotional issues, like Yamuna getting cleaned, and roads being repaired… create a narrative that the person does what he says. I think if you clean Yamuna, you will be very undefeatable in the Delhi area…”
Responding to the same, Kejriwal purportedly said, “…I have started to understand politics a bit. Yamuna will not get you votes.”
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
A shorter version of the video featuring the AAP leader’s alleged statement has also been shared on social media with users claiming that Arvind Kejriwal “admitted” to not cleaning Yamuna as it won’t fetch any votes. Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
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The Delhi AAP government has been under constant fire over widespread pollution in Yamuna river. Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had earlier promised that the Aam Aadmi Party government will clean the Yamuna river ahead of the next Assembly elections.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral clip led us to a YouTube video by @PrakharkePravachan, dated December 27, 2024, featuring an interview with Arvind Kejriwal.
On comparing the keyframe viral clip with that of the YouTube video, we found them to be identical.
We then skimmed through the video, and around 35 minutes found Kejriwal saying, “Yamuna can be cleaned, and we will clean it.”
He then responds to a question on “obstacles” in cleaning the river and discusses the work undertaken by his government for the same. Adding, “…In 2020, I promised the Delhi residents that I would clean Yamuna in five years. It pains me that I could not fulfill my promise. …during the initial 2.5 years, all construction activities were stopped due to Coronavirus, then they trapped us in this fake case…Now, we have dealt with it. The next five years seem to be clean…a lot of work has already been done…So, I think we will be able to achieve Yamuna cleaning in the next few years…”
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At the counters of 43:15 minutes, we heard the host saying, “…Your said agenda is development, or, say, education… I don’t think votes are received on these…But emotional issues, like Yamuna getting cleaned, and roads being repaired… create a narrative that the person does what he says. I think if you clean Yamuna, you will be very undefeatable in the Delhi area…”
Responding to the same, Kejriwal said, “…I have started to understand politics a bit. Yamuna will not get you votes. But I will still clean Yamuna. I am not here for ‘vote politics’… When I get schools constructed, I don’t see whether I will get votes from it or not. When I get hospitals constructed, I don’t see whether I will get votes from it or not..I work. I am here to work…”
A clip from the interview where Kejriwal elaborates on the “action plan” to clean Yamuna, was also shared on the official Instagram handle of the AAP leader.
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Conclusion
Hence, a video clip being shared to allege that AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said that he is not cleaning Yamuna as it will not get him any votes.
Result: Missing Context
Source
YouTube Video By @PrakharkePravachan, Dated December 27, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
