Attend special session of assembly on SYL: Badal to Cong

Chandigarh: Stating that Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal was not a political issue but a matter involving the lifeline of the state, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday asked Congress MLAs to attend special session of the assembly on Wednesday to chalk out a concrete strategy to protect river waters.

Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of a function to mark 20th death anniversary of Subedar Bapu Kartar Singh in Patiala, Badal said that in the larger interests of the state, the Congress MLAs must ensure their presence in the special session. He said that it was the need of the hour so as that the message was conveyed to the entire country that whole Punjab was united on this issue. He said that this was fight of every Punjabi and a united house must resolve to protect the waters of state at any cost.
Replying to another query, Badal said that neither NDA government nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi had any role in this matter as the ball was now in the court of President of India, to whom the apex court has given its advice on SYL issue. He said that they would soon meet President Pranab Mukherjee and apprise him about the depleting water levels in the state. Badal said, “We are duty-bound to protect waters of the state and every option will be explored to save it.”
On queries on protests by the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, Badal said that both these parties were indulging in gimmickry on this issue for their vested political interests. He said that the Congress was the perpetrator of this sin against the state and its people. Likewise, Badal said, AAP government in Delhi had submitted affidavit against the state in Supreme Court on this issue. “But now both of them are trying to mislead people through such acts,” he added.