All-Party Meeting on Punjab-Haryana Water Dispute: AAP, Congress, Akali Dal Unite

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab and Haryana governments have come face to face over the sharing of water from the Bhakra Canal. Amidst the dispute, the Punjab government called an all-party meeting at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh, in which senior leaders of Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and Akali Dal participated. The Bharatiya Janata Party also participated in the meeting, but it also raised the question, "Why did such a situation arise?"

All party meeting on Punjab-Haryana water dispute, AAP-Congress-Akali Dal came together; BJP said- why did such a situation arise: The meeting was started by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who informed all the leaders about the current situation of water in Punjab. AAP state president Aman Arora, Congress leader Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Rana KP and Akali Dal leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Daljit Cheema were present in the meeting.

State President Sunil Jakhar and former minister Manoranjan Kalia attended the meeting from BJP's side. Kalia raised the question in the meeting that such a situation never arose before, why is it happening now. Shiromani Akali Dal's working president Bhundar said that everyone should unite against the decision of not giving water to Haryana. Congress leader Rana KP raised the issue of reducing the quota of Punjab officers in BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) and said that this is a serious matter. Former minister Bajwa suggested that Punjab should ask for time to meet the Prime Minister on this issue. An all-party delegation should be formed and Punjab's side should be strongly presented before the central government.

Meanwhile, the Haryana government has made preparations to take the matter to the High Court. According to sources, the Advocate General has been instructed to prepare a draft on this.