Ludhiana, June 15: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini faced strong public opposition during his visit to Ludhiana on Saturday while campaigning for BJP candidate Jiwan Gupta ahead of the Ludhiana West byelection. Angry residents, accusing Haryana of exploiting Punjab’s water resources, confronted Saini’s convoy with black flags and slogans of “Punjab de Paania de Chor Murdabad.”
The protests, which drew hundreds, reflected deepening resentment over the decades-old water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana. Protesters alleged that the Haryana government, backed by the BJP at the Centre, has been unfairly diverting Punjab’s share of river water, putting the state’s already-strained agricultural sector under further stress.
The core of the discontent lies in Haryana’s alleged overreach in using water allocated to Punjab under the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). While earlier governments were accused of neglecting the issue, the AAP-led Mann government has taken a firm stand to safeguard Punjab’s rightful share. It has also taken steps to expand canal irrigation and improve water distribution across the state.
The AAP government has vowed to protect Punjab’s water and ensure its proper use for farmers and citizens alike. With the Ludhiana West byelection around the corner, the water issue has become a central poll narrative — and voters are closely watching which parties will truly stand with Punjab in its fight for justice.
