Panchkula (Haryana) [India], May 27 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann allegedly for politicising the Punjab-Haryana water dispute, asserting that the issue pertains to drinking water and should not be used for political gain.

‘There are many other topics related to politics. If Bhagwant Mann wants to do politics, then he should do so on those other topics. This is a question of drinking water... If he is doing politics on this, then it is unfortunate,’ said Saini.

He further urged Mann to honour the High Court’s verdict, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of disregarding constitutional institutions by ignoring the court's decision.

‘The decision of the High Court will be accepted and respected, but this decision reflects that AAP neither believes in nor respects the Constitution. They have sidelined the decision of the High Court. I want to request Bhagwant Mann to respect the decision of the High Court,’ Saini added.

The remarks come after the Punjab and Haryana High Court held a hearing regarding the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal dispute. Following the hearing, Additional Solicitor General of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Satya Pal Jain, stated that the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) decision should be implemented.

‘BBMB is an institution that controls the flow of water. It decides the share of the water... We believe that BBMB's decision should be implemented. There is no point in deploying police there. The Punjab government should remove the deployment of police and let the BBMB do its work,’ Jain said.

Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed a press conference where he accused the BBMB chairman of bypassing Punjab and attempting to release water to Haryana via Nangal Dam. He claimed the move was thwarted by public protest.

‘Today, the BBMB chairman, adopting an irresponsible attitude, bypassed Punjab and reached Nangal Dam to give water to Haryana. But due to the protest by the revolutionary people of Punjab, he had to return. We will protect every drop of Punjab's water,’ Mann stated.

He added that Punjab was already providing 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana on humanitarian grounds and criticised the BJP for allegedly holding unconstitutional BBMB meetings to make anti-Punjab decisions.

‘We are giving 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana on a humanitarian basis. But instead of giving thanks, decisions are being taken by unconstitutionally holding BBMB meetings. We will not tolerate coercion of any kind. On one side, there is an atmosphere of war in the country, on the other side BJP is trying to rob the waters of Punjab by taking anti-Punjab decisions. We also know how to protect borders and also know how to protect our water,’ Mann said.

(ANI)