Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said that his Government will “do everything possible” to stop the State’s water from flowing into Haryana.
Badal, addressing the special Session of Punjab Assembly on SYl issue, said that the entire Congress leadership had been accusing him and the SAD of changing stand on the issue.
“It is SAD which opposed this anti-Punjab decision tooth and nail whereas Congressmen accepted the verdict of their high command and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi thereby marginalising the very interests of the State and its people,” he alleged.
Recalling his statement in 2002, as then Chief Minister, after the Supreme Court directed the State to complete the canal, he said, “At that time I had said...We will not implement the court order at any cost. Not a drop of water will be given to anyone even if we have to go to jail.”
Badal claimed that he, his party and the Government stand firmly on this even today. “Any decision to rob Punjab of its legitimate rights on river waters is, was and will never be accepted by me or by the SAD-BJP alliance Government,” he said.
“likewise, there is and was no need to construct the SYl canal and there is no possibility for its construction, nor will it be allowed under any circumstance,” he said.
Claiming that the State had been frequently meted out “discrimination, excesses and injustice”, the Chief Minister said, “We have to struggle to secure our rights since inception and even supreme sacrifices were made.”