Punjab CM ‘deliberately’ ignored state’s claim on SYL canal waters: Akali Dal

Chandigarh 9 Sep : Chandigarh, Sep 9 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday slammed Chief minister Bhagwant Mann for omitting having a senior lawyer take Punjabs side in the Supreme Court on the SYL canal issue to ease Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwals "stated goal" to transfer states water to Haryana and Delhi.

It is evident that this was carried out in collaboration with the high command of the party in Delhi to get an unidirectional decision against Punjab." Inquiring Mann to explain to Punjabis the reason he was taking one anti-Punjab position after another on the order of Kejriwal The SAD leaders stated that "it is shocking to note that the Punjab government did not tell the Supreme Court about Punjabs firm position that it has an inalienable right to its river water in accordance with the law on riparian rights and that the issue was not subject to negotiation".

They claimed that in lieu of doing this instead, the Punjab government acquiesced to engage in discussions with their Haryana counterpart "which amounts to a blatant denial of the states position on this important issue that is affecting the future of its farmers and the economy of the state".Chandumajra has also demanded that the Chief Minister to convene an all-party conference to discuss the AAPs position on this important question to Punjabis.

"Bhagwant Manns trip to Haryana and his submission to Kejriwal and his campaign with AAP MP Sushil Gupta, who has promised that SYL water will be flowing into Haryana sends a wrong message to Punjabis that he is ready to slap the state "In the event that the Chief Minister doesnt declare his position in the near future, SAD will organise Punjabis through an Jago Punjab campaign to pressure the government to consider the opinions of the residents of the state." Cheema said that as the Chief Minister was preparing for an event that sold out, AAP legislators should also be clear on this important issue.

He declared that Punjabis have given a majority vote to AAP and elected 92 legislators to the post."These legislators are accountable to the people, and they should not behave as the servants of AAP as well as Bhagwant Mann but should be able to express the views of Punjabis." .