Punjab BJP stands with Punjabis, to raise water issue with Centre: Avinash Rai Khanna

Chandigarh: Former Punjab BJP president and ex-Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna on Thursday said that the entire Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party stands firmly with Punjab and its people in the ongoing dispute over the release of water to Haryana.

“Punjab neither has surplus water nor a single drop to give to anyone else,” Khanna said, adding that the BJP in Punjab is clear that no one will be allowed to take away the state’s rights.

Questioning the role of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government during the BBMB meeting, Khanna said, “When the BBMB meeting was going on, why was Punjab’s stand not properly placed? Why was it silent instead of opposing the decision then?”

He termed the current outcry by the Punjab government as “just a drama” and said no such decision could have been taken had the state government stood strongly for Punjab at the right time.

Khanna said the Punjab BJP would now hold discussions with the Centre on the issue and fight “tooth and nail” to protect Punjab’s rights.