AAP Questions Congress's Double Standards on Punjab’s Water Issues

Chandigarh, May 4, 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Senior Spokesperson and Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang today strongly condemned the central government and Haryana for conspiring to deprive Punjab of its rightful share of water. Addressing a press conference alongside AAP Spokespersons Gagandeep Singh and Ranjit Singh, Kang accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of continuing the historical injustice initiated by Congress against Punjab.

“Both BJP and Congress have a long-standing history of robbing Punjab of its water rights. Today, Randeep Surjewala, a senior Congress leader, accused AAP and BJP of colluding on water issues, but the truth is the exact opposite. Congress laid the foundation of exploiting Punjab's water, and BJP is now taking it further,” said Kang.

Kang called out Congress for its duality, highlighting the contradictory stances of Punjab and Haryana Congress leaders. “Surjewala must first clarify whether the Punjab Congress is correct or the Haryana Congress. During the all-party meeting in Punjab, Congress leaders supported CM Bhagwant Mann’s stand that Punjab would not tolerate any coercion regarding its share of water. However, today, Surjewala has attempted to justify Haryana’s mismanagement and water overconsumption while accusing Punjab of wrongdoing.”

Kang also pointed to historical injustices by Congress governments, from Indira Gandhi’s era to the laying of the foundation stone of the SYL canal by Punjab Congress Chief Ministers. “Congress’s legacy is built on weakening Punjab’s rights, and BJP has only accelerated this agenda,” Kang remarked.

Kang praised Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for his proactive measures to protect Punjab’s water rights and improve irrigation infrastructure. “Under previous governments, Punjab’s irrigation capacity through canal system stood at 25%. Today, it has risen to over 60% due to significant development under CM Mann’s leadership. For decades, Punjab’s groundwater was over-exploited, pushing many areas into the dark zone. This government has reversed that trend,” said Kang.

He noted that while Punjab has been judicious with its water use, saving 11% of its allocated share, Haryana has already consumed 130% of its allocation. Kang criticized Haryana’s mismanagement and urged the Haryana Congress to hold BJP-led Government accountable instead of targeting Punjab.

Kang condemned the authoritarian tactics employed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) under central government pressure. “Punjab holds a 60% stake in BBMB, yet the central government bypassed this by unilaterally transferring key officials. This is not governance but dictatorship and hooliganism. The BJP government at the Center, in collusion with Haryana, is trying to force Punjab to give up its rightful share of water. Such coercion will not be tolerated,” Kang declared.

Despite being treated unfairly, Kang emphasized Punjab’s commitment to humanitarian values. “Punjab has generously provided 4,000 cusecs of drinking water to Haryana, even though they required only 1,700 cusecs. We are heirs to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings and Bhai Kanhaiya Ji’s legacy of humanity. But if Haryana demands more water through coercion and intimidation, Punjab will firmly resist,” he said.

Kang criticized Surjewala’s comments about Punjab dictating terms to BBMB. “Surjewala justified the central government’s actions, but Punjab cannot be sidelined. The all-party meeting in Punjab had unanimous support for CM Mann’s stand on protecting Punjab’s water rights. Surjewala should first seek clarity within his own party before making baseless allegations,” he said.

Kang reaffirmed AAP’s commitment to safeguarding Punjab’s interests. “For decades, successive Congress, BJP, and Akali governments compromised Punjab’s rights to serve their political interests. CM Bhagwant Mann’s government, however, is determined to ensure that Punjab’s water rights are protected. Punjab’s rightful share of water is not negotiable, and any attempts to undermine it will be met with strong resistance,” he asserted.