Former Punjab deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday 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.
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 to two months time execute its decree to give Punjab’s waters to Haryana through the SYl canal.
In a statement he said, “By welcoming this to move and stating that he is ready 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 negotiateIJ Does he want to sell out the interests of PunjabIJ “
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. “Please make it clear to Haryana that the waters of Punjab are not negotiable. Do not dilly-dally and use sweet talk on this issue. Be firm and decisive. The entire State and its people will be with you if you abide by the consensus created on this issue...” he said.