Chandigarh, November 14, 2016: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the Congress had run away from taking steps to safeguard the river waters of Punjab but that the SAD would not flinch from its duty and would come out with appropriate measures to resolve the issue in its entirety.
In a statement here, Mr Badal said the party core committee as well as the State cabinet, both of which were meeting shortly, would deliberate upon the steps needed to firm up the party as well as the SAD- BJP government's decision not to allow even a drop of water to go to Haryana. "We are ready to take any step necessary to stand up to this commitment", he added.
The SAD president said it was unfortunate that a frustrated Punjab Congress president - Mr Amarinder Singh, was stooping so low as to ask for the resignation of the SAD- BJP government. "You resigned from parliament because you had to contest the next assembly elections from Patiala. Your MLAs resigned as the party high command did not want them to be part of the proceedings of the November 16sitting of the Punjab assembly. All this is understandable. But why are you asking for the resignation of Chief minister S Parkash Singh Badal? Surely it is because you are frustrated at the turn of events and the fact that Punjabis are increasingly seeing you as the villain of the piece who was facilitated the start of work on the SYL canal?"
Asking Amarinder not to act like a sore loser, the SAD president said he could understand his frustration. "Your hands are tied by the Congress high command which has never supported Punjab's right over its own waters". He said however even now Amarinder could redeem himself by supporting the steps being taken by Badal Sahab to save the waters of Punjab. "But this is unlikely. You are resorting to cheap publicity stunts to befool Punjabis instead of directing your MLAs to debate the issue in the assembly. This will only alienate you and your party further from the people", he added.