AAP trying to vitiate relations between 2 states: Dhiman

Ludhiana: BJP district president, Rajnesh Dhiman, accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt of trying to politicise the issue of water. Addressing a press conference, he said, "CM Bhagwant Mann is raising a hue and cry over BBMB's decision to release water to Haryana. What does he have to say about his own party convener Arvind Kejriwal's announcements in Haryana and Delhi that they will get water from Punjab for people? They are only creating drama to mislead voters on recent failures of the state govt."
Dhiman said that the BJP in Punjab was committed to people of Punjab and there was no point protesting outside BJP offices here. "If Bhagwant Mann has issues with Haryana, then they should talk with the Haryana govt, not BJP leaders in Punjab," he said, adding that at a time when the country was in a sensitive period, the behaviour of CM Mann and AAP party was questionable. He also asked if AAP wanted to spoil the relations between two neighbouring states.
Union minister of state for railways and food processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, whose effigy was burnt by AAP leaders, also criticised chief minister Bhagwant Mann for politicising the river water issue. He assured people of Punjab that not a drop of the state's share of water would be released by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Bittu strongly condemned the recent attack on the BJP office in Ludhiana by AAP workers and demanded registration of an FIR against those responsible.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Bittu described Mann's outcry over the water issue as theatrical and politically motivated, calling it a distraction at a time when the nation stands united on matters of national security. "While the entire country is focused on serious concerns such as national security, Mann is trying to divert attention by staging unnecessary drama over water," Bittu remarked.
He confirmed that he had spoken with the BBMB chairman, who assured him that no additional water from Punjab's quota was being released. Bittu said that he actively participated in BBMB meetings and was well-acquainted with its operations. He said that the water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana was pending in Supreme Court, and if Haryana required more water, it should approach the court. "As a Union minister, I categorically state that Punjab's rightful share of water will not be released under any circumstances," he asserted.
Bittu also accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt of trying to derail the ongoing dialogue between farmers and the union govt. He said that the Punjab govt's interference was a calculated move to mislead farmers, particularly since many farmer organisations had expressed their opposition to the AAP-led state govt. He pointed out that farmer leaders had announced that they would boycott the May 4 meeting if Punjab ministers were invited.
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