Chandigarh, May 1:
In a bold move to safeguard Punjab’s waters, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government has declared an all-out battle against the BJP-led Central Government’s “forced directive” to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release excess water to Haryana.
Terming it a “daylight robbery,” the State President of AAP and Punjab Cabinet Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that an emergency all-party meeting on Friday morning, followed by a Special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday, to strategize against what he called the Centre’s “blatant betrayal” of the state’s rights.
Addressing the media after a high-level meeting with Punjab’s Cabinet Ministers, Aman Arora stated that Punjab will fiercely protect its interests and won’t allow BBMB to release excess water beyond Haryana’s share. He accused the BJP of deceiving Punjab, citing this action as another example of their true intentions.
The AAP President said that BJP is attempting to steal Punjab’s water, despite the state having a 60% share in BBMB, by allocating 4700 cusecs water to Haryana beyond the neighbouring state’s share, which is over 1,700 cusecs. He asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government won’t tolerate this “loot” and “goondagardi” by BJP.
Highlighting the proactive stance of the state government, Mr. Aman Arora stated that AAP’s National Convenor Sh. Arvind Kejriwal visited Chandigarh to assess the situation, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today’s visited Nangal Bhakra dam to prevent water theft.
“It is a high time for BJP’s Punjab unit leaders including Sunil Jakhar, Ravneet Bittu, Tarun Chugh, Captain Amarinder Singh and others to clear their stand whether they stand by Punjab or only serving their political bosses to save their chairs,” asked Mr. Aman Arora while adding that if they are real sons of the Punjab then they should resign from their posts to clear their stance on the issue. He also demanded that the BJP leaders should also immediately approach their national leaders and make them clear that Punjab has not any single drop of water to spare for Haryana or any other state.
