Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal charged Congress with "illegally" providing water from Punjab to states like Haryana and Rajasthan which have no right over it. (PTI file photo)
Ahead of the crucial 2017 Assembly polls in Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal targeted the AAP and Congress over their stand on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, alleging that both parties were planning to "rob" the state of its due share of water.
Calling upon people to safeguard waters of the state, he claimed that plans were being made to turn Punjab into a desert, and added that if the farming sector was destroyed, the state would be crippled.
Congress and AAP are both "enemies" of Punjab's peace and prosperity and are charting plans to "rob" the state of its due share of water, he said.
He charged Congress with "illegally" providing water from Punjab to states like Haryana and Rajasthan which have no right over it.
Recalling that former prime minister Indira Gandhi had laid foundation stone of SYL at Kapoori village, Mr Badal said state Congress chief Amarinder Singh had praised her for the step at the time and even gifted her a silver hoe and bowl.
He said the Akali Dal had organised a rally against the move during that time, and has fought for Punjab's share in water ever since.
Hitting out at AAP, Mr Badal said the new affidavit favouring SYL that the Delhi Government filed in Supreme Court was a "political stunt".
He said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "anti-Punjab" stance had been reflected in first affidavit.
Mr Badal alleged that Mr Kejriwal had a soft corner for Haryana as he hailed from that state, which is why it would not be wise to expect him to take Punjab's side.
He said peace, harmony and development have always been the priorities of the SAD-BJP government and would remain the main agenda in the Assembly election too.
"In the forthcoming Assembly elections Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janta Party's main issue will be peace, harmony and the unprecedented development the government has ushered in state," Mr Badal said in Muktsar.
He said projects worth Rs 12,000 crore have been started in the state to provide basic amenities like drinking water, roads, street lights and sewerage etc.