Akalis mobilising support on SYL

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 22

With the Supreme Court judgement on the presidential reference in the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, expected to be announced any time now, the SAD is mobilizing support from the rural masses in a major way.

The issue has become the mainstay of all political discourse by CM Parkash Singh Badal who has been on a spree organising sangat darshans in the state. All ministers and leaders too have started exhorting the masses, especially in party meetings held in villages, to stand up against an adverse decision that would force the state to give up its share of water.

In such a scenario the SAD sees a huge political gain coming its way. The issue has been discussed amongst Akali leaders and even in the core committee meetings of the party, with the CM openly declaring that he is ready to make any sacrifice to ensure that the state does not lose its rights on the river waters.

Indications are that the party could resort to its old tactics of “morchas’ – something the party had successfully managed in the Punjabi Suba movement and in the 70s.

An internal survey shows that the SYL issue was still a very emotive issue. An unofficial survey by some central agencies has predicted that that though the Akali-BJP combine could get around 40 seats, an emotive issue like sharing of river waters brightens the ruling party’s prospects in the electoral ring.

SAD leaders and cadre have been actively engaged in ensuring that the panchayats too get mobilised on this issue.

The Punjab Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal (Rehabilitation and Re-vesting of Proprietary Rights) Bill, 2016, passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in March this year, after the Supreme Court resumed hearings on the SYL issue.