Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab State Media In-charge and General Secretary Baltej Pannu on Thursday questioned the deafening silence of Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP leaders after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann placed evidence-backed facts showing that Rajasthan owes Punjab ₹1.44 lakh crore under the 1920 water agreement.
He said that for decades, parties that ruled Punjab compromised its rights and today have no answers as the truth stands exposed before the people. AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Ever since Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann presented evidence-backed facts that under the 1920 agreement, Rajasthan owes Punjab ₹1.44 lakh crore in lieu of water received since 1960, why have leaders of Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP, who ruled for 70 years, are silent on this matter?
These parties have no answers to the questions being asked by the people.” Targeting BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar, he stated, “Jakhar Sahib, the same leaders who were once in Congress with you are now sitting with you in BJP, those who carried ‘golden and silver tools’ to dig canals through Punjab’s chest and divert its waters to other states.
Why are you silent on those betrayals today? The people of Punjab understand the meaning of your silence very well.” He further stated that the same traditional parties that had pushed Punjab to the brink of becoming barren have been countered by the Bhagwant Mann government, which has revived the state within just four years.
“While earlier only 22% canal water reached the fields, today, due to the efforts of the Mann government, that figure has increased to 78%. Not only this, canals and distributaries that were buried by previous governments in collusion with the land mafia are now being revived.
The restoration of the buried ‘Lambi Canal’ stands as a living example of this,” he added. Baltej Pannu added, “Opposition parties and leaders are troubled by new developments because their old conspiracies and betrayals buried beneath the soil have now come to light.
Those who looted and exploited Punjab for 70 years and sold its rights to other states have now been exposed.” Reaffirming the commitment of the AAP Government, he said, “As long as CM Bhagwant Singh Mann is in office, every single penny and every right of Punjab will remain fully protected.”