Terming Delhi Chief Minister's statement to change their lawyer on Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue as a ‘political gimmick’, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that rather than changing Delhi’s lawyer on this issue Mr. Arvind Kejriwal should change his anti-Punjab mindset. Addressing the gathering during Sangat Darshan program in various parts of Nawanshehar assembly segment this morning, the Chief Minister said that as Mr. Arvind Kejriwal hailed from Haryana so he was naturally inclined towards safeguarding the interests of his state and nothing good for Punjab could be expected from him. He said that Mr. Kejriwal has no affection with Punjab or its people and his sole intention was to vest political power in the state.
Mr. Badal said that the love of Delhi Chief Minister was confined only upto attaining political power whereas in reality he was pursuing the agenda of securing the interests of his native state on SYL issue.The Chief Minister reiterated that both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were hobnobbing with each other to snatch legitimate share of Punjab's water. He said that while Congress had in past signed various water agreements to deprive state of its waters, the AAP was now trying its level best to ensure that these agreements were implemented at the earliest. Mr. Badal said that it was a known fact that both these parties were hell bent upon ruining the state.Apprising the people about the affidavit submitted by AAP government in Delhi on SYL issue, the Chief Minister said that Delhi government has said that the stand of Punjab government on this issue would disintegrate the country. Likewise, he said that Delhi government has also claimed that this step was unconstitutional and anti - national adding that even Kejriwal led government has threatened Punjabis of dire consequences due to its firm stand of not allowing the construction of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.
Taking the Congress party to cudgels, the Chief Minister said that this party was the main perpetrator of the conspiracy to deprive the Punjabis of river water. He said that it was ironical state Congress Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh who was now shedding crocodile tears on this issue had welcomed the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi to lay foundation stone of SYL.However, the Chief Minister said that the Shiromani Akali Dal would never allow the anti - Punjab forces to become successful in their nefarious designs. He reiterated that the SAD would not allow SYL to become a reality. "We are ready to make any sacrifice to safeguard the legitimate share of river waters of the state" he added.Later on interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister expressed profound grief and concern over the attack on Gurdwara Sahib in Germany and killing of a Sikh leader in Pakistan. Mr. Badal urged the Government of India (GoI) to take every possible step to safeguard the Sikh community residing across the globe.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that state government has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth, hassle free and prompt procurement of wheat crop in mandis. He said that the concerned officers have been directed to issue payment to the farmers at earliest adding that the entire process was going on in a smooth manner. Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP alliance government was committed for ensuring the well being of the farming community and every step was being taken to safeguard their interests. Responding to another query, the Chief Minister strongly refuted the allegations pertaining to financial crunch in the state. He said that the state government has embarked a major scheme to ensure holistic development of state by spending a whopping amount worth Rs.12000 crore. Mr. Badal said that all these canards were baseless as such unprecedented development could not be ensured without funds.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chairman MARKFED Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid, Managing Director Water Supply and Sanitation Mr. DK Tiwari, Chief Administrator GLADA Mrs. Kanwalpreet Kaur Brar, Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Vipul Ujjwal, Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr. SK Kalia, Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Snehdeep Sharma and Chief Engineer Water Supply Mr. DS Cheema.