BKU (Rajewal) enters fray with BBMB over water, stay clear of AAP protest

The farmers’ union has now entered the fray with BBMB over the release of extra water to Haryana from Punjab’s quota. Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), led by its president Balbir Singh Rajewal, organised a dharna outside the office of the Chief Engineer, Nangal Dam, BBMB.

Rajewal said, “We have come to lodge a protest today. The issue will be discussed in the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) meeting.” He added that SKM would launch an agitation to save Punjab’s water after the paddy season.

Rajewal criticised Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for accusing farmer unions of not supporting his stance against BBMB over Punjab’s water share. Rajewal said it was unfortunate that the CM was trying to divide farmer unions over the issue. The farm union has been pleading with the state government to oppose the Dam Safety Act, which is against Punjab’s interests.

The present government failed to oppose the extra release of water to Haryana over the past two years and is now merely playing politics over the issue, Rajewal said. BKU (Rajewal) activists did not join the AAP workers’ dharna at the Nangal dam and instead organised their own protest outside the BBMB office.

BKU leaders said farmer associations in Punjab would fight a decisive battle over Punjab’s water in the near future. Around 300 BKU Rajewal workers protested in front of the Chief Engineer, Nangal Dam, BBMB, raising slogans against the Union Government and BBMB.

Meanwhile, AAP workers continued their dharna at the Nangal sam, with Dinesh Chadda, AAP MLA from Ropar, joining the protest. He alleged that previous governments’ failures had led to Punjab losing its water share in BBMB. Harjot Singh Bains, Minister for Education, has been leading the AAP protest at Nangal Dam.

CM Bhagwant Mann has visited the protest site thrice, stating that he would allow BBMB to release water to Haryana from Punjab’s quota. He alleged that the BBMB authorities, under pressure from the Union Government, have repeatedly attempted to release extra water to Haryana despite objections from the Punjab government.

Punjab