Why Punjab CM stops Haryana’s water share, political tension rises: Explained

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced a sudden halt to Haryana’s water share, claiming the state has no additional water to offer. In a video message released by the CM, Mann stated, “Now we don’t have a single drop of extra water to give to Haryana.”

The decision comes amid heightened national focus on water security following India’s move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Mann attributed the cut to Haryana exhausting its annual water quota—valid from May 21 to the following year—in March itself. As a result, Punjab has reduced the daily supply from 9,500 cusecs to 4,000 cusecs to ensure drinking water availability, though this is expected to impact irrigation in Haryana.

The move has sparked political tensions. Dr. Bhupinder Singh, a senior journalist from Mohali told media, said the water dispute has intensified political rivalry between Punjab and Haryana.

He noted that Haryana CM Nayab Saini’s increasing activity in Punjab may have prompted Mann to adopt a tougher stance to project himself as the defender of Punjab’s interests.

S. Purushottam, a veteran journalist from Amritsar, observed that while water disputes between the two states are longstanding, the issue is now being leveraged politically.

He said the Aam Aadmi Party appears to be using the situation to both challenge Saini’s growing influence and push the BJP onto the backfoot ahead of upcoming elections.

From January to April, CM Nayab Saini reportedly made seven visits related to Punjab, including BJP membership drives and meetings with party sarpanches in the state, indicating rising political activity across state lines.