Punjab news: AAP blames BJP, Congress regimes at Centre for current impasse

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday targeted successive Congress and BJP governments at the Centre for acting against Punjab’s interests by facilitating the sharing of river waters with neighbouring states.

Taking part in a discussion over the issue, AAP legislators accused the BJP of “trying to take away” rights of Punjab with the help of its governments in Haryana and at the Centre.

AAP members led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held the BJP responsible for rising tensions between the two states over the issue.

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema sought an apology from the Congress for compromising on the Punjab’s interests.

Cong reminds 2004 Act

AAP Ministers, including Aman Arora, Harjot Bains and Barinder Goyal, blamed previous Congress government at the Centre for introducing objectionable clauses in the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and the Rajiv-Longowal Accord, 1985.

In response, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said it was the Congress regime in the state in 2004 that had brought the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act.

This was meant to terminate Punjab’s obligations under all water-sharing agreements concerning the Ravi and Beas rivers.

Congress MLA Pargat Singh said the Centre was slowly centralising powers vested with the states.

“Be it the river water sharing issue, handing over of Chandigarh to Punjab or the Dam Safety Act, 2021, the federal structure is being dismantled,” he alleged.