BJP says Punjab doesn't have surplus water for other states but questions AAP ‘drama'

Amid escalating tension over sharing of water, the BJP's Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar Thursday said the state does not have surplus water for Haryana.

- GNS News Agency

Union minister and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ravneet Singh Bittu too claimed that not a single drop of the border state's share of water will be released by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Jakhar, however, urged Punjab government to release drinking water to Haryana on humanitarian grounds even as Bittu accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for allegedly "dramatising" the water issue for "political gains". "As a Union minister, I categorically state that Punjab's rightful share of water will not be released under any circumstances," said Bittuln a post on X, Jakahr said, "We have always firmly stood for the interests of Punjab, and our stand is clear—Punjab does not have any surplus water to give to any other state. While we do not oppose providing drinking water on humanitarian grounds, using this as a tool for petty politics may suit the Aam Aadmi Party. But it goes against the spirit and principles of Punjabiyat?.