AAP corners Cong on SYL

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 9

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today blamed the Congress for initiating the process of constructing the controversial SYL canal.

AAP circulated advertisements printed on behalf of Congress leaders who welcomed then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to the state for laying the foundation stone of the project on April 8, 1982. PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh is reportedly seen welcoming her at Kapoori village to lay the foundation.

The advertisements were carried in The Tribune on that date on Page 5. One of the advertisements was by Patiala district youth Congress and another by the Punjab Vikas Sabha. Both had pictures of Capt Amarinder Singh.

Amarinder later as Chief Minister in 2004 acted against the project by terminating all river water sharing agreements.

AAP MP Bhagwant Mann and senior leader Sukhpal Khaira said Amarinder might have delayed the construction of the SYL canal, he must admit to the fact, that it was the Congress which created the entire dispute revolving around the SYL canal and the river waters of Punjab.