SAD President Sukhbir Badal Lambasts Punjab CM Mann Over Water Royalty Inaction
In a sharp critique, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of "just waking up" to the long-standing injustice of half of Punjab's river waters flowing to Rajasthan without adequate compensation. This statement came after the Punjab government recently wrote to Rajasthan, seeking Rs 1.44 lakh crore as cost and royalty for the release of these waters.
Historical Resolution Ignored, Says Badal
Addressing a party rally in Shahkot, Sukhbir Badal highlighted that CM Mann has failed to act on a 2016 assembly resolution passed during the SAD regime. This resolution sought royalty not only from Rajasthan but also from Haryana and Delhi for the use of Punjab's river waters. "The CM's statement on taking royalty from Rajasthan is a knee-jerk reaction after I announced that the next SAD government would not allow one drop of water to flow into the Rajasthan canal," Badal asserted.
He emphasized the SAD's commitment to correcting what he termed a "historical wrong" perpetrated by the Congress party, which allegedly gave away half of Punjab's river waters to Rajasthan. "This water will be diverted to the fields of Punjab, benefiting our farmers directly," he declared, accusing CM Mann of indulging in diversionary politics instead of addressing the core grievances of Punjabis.
Allegations of Political Conspiracies and Drug Trafficking
Without naming specific entities, Sukhbir Badal alleged that central agencies are conspiring to introduce new entrants into the Punjab political fray ahead of elections. He claimed these agencies are providing support in a manner similar to how certain individuals were propped up during the 2024 parliamentary elections to weaken the SAD.
Furthermore, Badal made serious accusations against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), stating that SAD maintains AAP leaders and legislators are involved in drug trafficking and even receive monthly payments from drug lords. He cited the arrest of a close aide of AAP leader Talbir Gill with 4 kg of heroin as evidence. "The patronage the AAP government is giving to gangsters is evident from the appointment of the aunt of dreaded gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria as chairperson of the Dera Baba Nanak Block Samiti," he alleged, claiming this move was used to intimidate political opponents in local elections.
Criticism of Government's Agricultural and Economic Policies
Badal also criticized the state government's handling of agricultural issues, pointing out that potato farmers are dumping their crops on roads due to distress, while the CM remains "impervious to their misery." He urged the government to direct Markfed to lift the potato crop at reserved prices to alleviate farmer suffering.
Additionally, he accused CM Mann of lying about the investment received by Punjab during the AAP tenure, questioning the transparency and effectiveness of the state's economic policies under the current administration.
