Reiterating that as per universally accepted Riparian Principle Punjab was only rightful owner of river waters, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that no other state has any right on our river waters.Addressing the gathering during Sangat Darshan program in Bucho Mandi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that river water was the only natural resource of the state and there was no question of sharing it with any other state as we were not having a single drop of excess water. Mr. Badal said that since water was the life line of the state so the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was ever ready to preserve it by making any sacrifice. He categorically said that there was no need for Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal adding that the construction of this contentious canal would not be allowed at any cost.The Chief Minister said that both AAP and Congress were conniving with each other to deprive the Punjabis of every single drop of water.
Mr. Badal said that the Congress has divested the state of its rights by giving water to Rajasthan, Haryana and other states adding that now AAP too has joined the Congress to rob the waters of state. 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.Describing the resignation by Captain Amarinder Singh as a mere political stunt, the Chief Minister dared Congress Chief to explain why the other Congress MPs had not resigned to express solidarity with state in this hour of crisis. He said that the resignation was just aimed at deriving political benefit from this sensitive issue rather than safeguarding the interests of the state. Mr. Badal said that it was an open secret that Captain was desirous of contesting assembly polls due to which he had resigned from Lok Sabha on pretext of verdict of Supreme Court to mislead the people. “Captain want to attain status of martyr just be smearing a drop of blood on his fingertip whereas it is a fact that he was part and parcel on sinister move to dug the SYL” he added.
Recalling the grave conspiracy conceived by Congress to divest the state of its legitimate share in river waters, the Chief Minister held the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi squarely responsible for Punjab's crisis as she forced the erstwhile Congress Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Darbara Singh into signing an agreement to give away Punjab's waters to Haryana. Mr. Badal also held state Congress Chief Amarinder Singh responsible for inviting Mrs. Indira Gandhi to start the digging of the canal at Kapuri in his own constituency Patiala by offering her a silver spade to start the digging. He said that while Congress rejoiced the occasion, the SAD had launched a long peaceful democratic morcha for Punjab's interests as a result of which no river waters went out of Punjab after that.Assailing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Chief Minister said that it was a party with dual face. He said that AAP government in Delhi has submitted an affidavit against the state in Apex court on SYL issue. Mr. Badal said that disguised in robe of Aam Aadmi (common man), these people were working overtime against the interests of the state.
Taking a dig on leaders leaving the Akali Dal for the sake of tickets from other parties, the Chief Minister said that these fugitives must learn a lesson from Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, who has gone to political oblivion ever since he has ditched the Akali Dal. Mr. Badal exhorted the people to teach the defectors a lesson by rejecting them in electoral race. He said that the voters were supreme as they could teach a lesson to the opportunist leaders by showing them door during the polls.Later on interacting with the media persons at Goniana Mandi, the Chief Minister said that he would contest the election from the seat which would be allocated to him by the party. He said that in a democratic set up party was the supreme and he had always obeyed by the decision of his party.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included MLA Mr. Harpreet Singh, Press Secretary of District Shiromani Akali Dal Dr. Om Parkash Sharma, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr KJS Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ghanshyam Thori and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr Swapan Sharma.