Centre should clarify stand, says Abhay

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, January 18

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) today reiterated it would commence digging the Satluj Yamuna Link canal on February 23, if the Centre does not start its construction.

Addressing a meeting of party workers here today, Leader of the Opposition Abhay Chautala alleged the Centre was indifferent towards the issue.

Abhay said, “We will ask the people of the state to join us. The Centre should clarify whether it is with Punjab or Haryana. The SYL is the lifeline of Haryana and we will get our share of water.”

Later, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda termed the INLD’s warning as a political gimmick. He said a rally would be convened on the issue at Jind.

He alleged, “The INLD is hand in glove with the Akalis in Punjab. They did not protest when the Punjab Assembly terminated the SYL accord. I, along with other Congress leaders had approached the then PM Manmohan Singh in 2004, against the Punjab Assembly’s decision.”

Khattar a weak CM: INLD leader

Karnal: Leader of the Opposition Abhay Chautala today alleged that CM Manohar Lal Khattar was not serious over the SYL issue. He said the CM should resign from his post if he wants to campaign for the SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab. “Manohar Lal Khattar is a weak CM, who has failed to meet the PM over the issue,” Abhay asserted. He was here to address a meeting of party workers. Abhay was accompanied by the INLD state president Ashok Arora, former MLAs Narendra Sangwan, Mamu Ram Gonder, district president Yashvir Rana, Deputy Mayor Manoj Wadhwa 

and others. He also criticised the BJP government over its crop insurance scheme and said it benefitted  insurance companies and not the farmers. He said the  INLD would raise the issue prominently in the state Assembly, too. TNS