Chandigarh: Former Punjab deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said if chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh was sincere about protecting the rights of Punjab he should unequivocally declare “NO SYL – No Water to Haryana” immediately.
In a statement here, the SAD president said this was of utmost importance as a wrong message had been sent out to Punjabis by the chief minister by welcoming the Supreme Court order which has given two months time to execute its decree to give Punjab’s waters to Haryana through the SYL canal. “By welcoming this move and stating that he is ready to start negotiations with Haryana on this issue, the chief minister has sent out a message that the waters of Punjab can be put on the negotiating table. Nothing can be more absurd than this. What will he negotiate? Does he want to sell out the interests of Punjab?”, said Sukhbir Badal.
Sukhbir Badal (L) and Capt. Amarinder (R) [File Photo]
The SAD president said the fact of the matter was that Punjab’s rights over its river waters were inalienable and could never become a matter of negotiation. “Capt Amarinder should understand this before even speaking on this issue. If he is still in doubt he should take note that no SYL exists on Punjab territory as of now as the land acquired for the canal was de-notified and returned back to farmers. What will Amarinder negotiate with Haryana when the issue has already been settled on the ground?”, he asked.
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