SYL: Will resign en masse if SC decides against Punjab, says Capt

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 24

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh said he and his party’s MLAs would resign from their public positions if the Supreme Court’s verdict in the ongoing SYL dispute went against Punjab.

“While we respect the Supreme Court, we are also duty bound towards Punjab. Hence, we will find legislative and constitutional ways and means to safeguard our water,” Capt said at a press conference he held on Sunday.

The Amritsar MP said a verdict was likely in August since a judge of the five-member Constitutional Bench hearing the case is due to retire from service by the end of next month.

He also said that the Congress high command would be kept out of the decision as it had commitments to others states, such as Haryana — with which Punjab is locked in dispute over the canal — and Delhi.

He however said he did not support morchas planned by the rival Shiromani Akali Dal.

Also present at the press briefing was Jalandhar Parliamentarian Chaudhry Santokh Singh, who announced he would also resign in case of an “adverse” verdict.