Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij launched a strong verbal attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab and questioning that “Who is holding back our SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) water? The Supreme Court has already given an order to provide water to Haryana, but who is stopping it and who is stealing the water? Our fields are thirsty, while all the water flows away into Pakistan.” He further said that AAP is playing politics within Punjab, “but even politics should remain within limits.”
Vij was responding to questions asked by the media persons in Panipat about the recent incident where Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was shown black flags and called a “water thief” during his visit to Punjab.
Energy Minister reminded that India has revoked the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and the government is making full efforts to ensure that this water reaches Haryana’s fields. But the AAP government in Punjab is letting the SYL water flow into Pakistan, he said.
Vij called the crash in Ahmedabad a very tragic incident, mentioning that Gujarat’s former Chief Minister lost his life in it. “Experts are saying things, but an investigation will be conducted. The black box has been recovered—it can withstand temperatures of up to 4,000°C. Once decoded, all facts will become clear, added.”
When asked about Congress intensifying efforts to rebuild its organization, Vij responded that “I’m actually happy about it, and I think we should be. Democracy thrives with both government and opposition, both sides have responsibilities for a healthy democracy. So if Congress is rebuilding, I have no objection.” Responding to Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s remark that law and order in Haryana has collapsed, Vij said that “The government is also working to fix things.”
Asked about when BJP’s new state president would be elected, Vij replied that “The selectors will decide. I can’t comment on it. Whoever gets elected—we will salute him and chant their victory.”
