With the Satluj Yamuna link (SYl) canal all set to become a major political issue in the run-up to the Assembly polls next year, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday gave a call to the people of the State to prepare themselves for tough battle ahead to safeguard the river waters of the State.
Addressing a gathering during religious congregation to mark the commemoration of historic Hola Mohalla here, Badal declared the Satluj Yamuna SYl canal would not allowed to be constructed at any cost and under any circumstances.
He said it was high time to make supreme sacrifices rather than allowing the construction of SYl canal as it would divest the people of Punjab of their legitimate rights over the river waters, in blatant violation of the nationally and internationally accepted Riparian Principle.
The Chief Minister assailed the Congress for depriving the genuine rights especially related to river waters during their successive Governments at the centre. He chided the State Congress leadership for being mute spectators that surrendered haplessly before their party high command in brazen defiance of the interests of the State and its people. Badal said the Punjabis in general and Sikh community in particular could never forgive the Congress party for its sins against Punjab.
Badal said there was a wide consensus that Punjab did not have even a single drop of water to spare for any other State, neither is it even possible to do so. In view of that, there never had been any need nor was there one now to construct the SYl canal. He categorically said they would not allow this canal to be constructed at any cost.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were honoured for championing the cause of peasantry by bestowing ‘Kissana da Messiah’ and ‘Paaniyaan da Raakha’ award.
In his speech, Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal took on Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for playing dirty politics on SYl issue which is of utmost importance to the State. He said both Congress and AAP have displayed height of political opportunism and their dubious role has come to the fore on crucial SYl issue.
He said while Punjab Vidhan Sabha was deliberating on SYl issue and bill to de-notify the land acquired from farmers for SYl was being brought, Congress MlAs resorted to dirty tactics of staging walkouts. Taking on AAP, Deputy CM said its convener and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, gave statement supporting Punjab’s stand on SYl but changed his tune as soon he reached Delhi which was equivalent to stabbing Punjabi people in the back.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and was presented a robe of honor (Siropa) by Jathedar Giani Mal Singh.
Cabinet Ministers, MPs, MlAs and officials were also present in the function.