Bhakra Row Is AAP's Shield Amid Farmer Backlash

Mann leverages Bhakra water dispute to boost pro-farmer image amid criticism

- NEERAJ MOHAN

Caught on sticky ground, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has attempted to transform the Bhakra water dispute with Haryana into a potent political tool to strengthen his pro-farmer image and deflect criticism over governance lapses.

The Mann-led AAP government in Punjab has faced severe criticism from farmers for using police force against protesting farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.

But Mann's move to curtail Haryana's water share from the Bhakra Dam, terming it a "loot on Punjab's water," has not only helped counter the backlash over police crackdowns on farmer protests but also secured the backing of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which opposed the BJP-led Union government's decision to deploy CISF at Bhakra Dam.

Even the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) attempted to restore Haryana's water supply to its legitimate right of 8,500 cusecs. But Mann seized the moment by openly challenging the directive, asserting that Haryana had already exceeded its annual water quota by 103% by March 31, well before the May 21 deadline.

Claiming that Punjab was already grappling with its own water scarcity, Mann declared that no surplus water was available.

Moreover, amid reports of an imminent water release to Haryana during BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi's visit, Mann boosted deployments at the dam and symbolically locked the dam gates.

After this three-week political drama at Bhakra Dam, the Mann government celebrated the move as "Fateh Diwas" on May 21 and organised a "Victory Day" rally.

Mann, who himself led the protest at the dam along with his ministers, positioned himself as a protector of Punjab's water resources.

He used this opportunity to target the BJP-led governments at the Centre and Haryana, accusing them of "institutional bullying" and "vendetta politics."