The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday termed the BJP-led central government’s move to grant permanent membership to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan in the Bhakra Beas Management Board “a conspiracy”, and said that the AAP government would strongly oppose any move to alter the BBMB structure or Punjab’s representation in it. “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government will fight tooth and nail to protect every right of Punjab,” AAP senior spokesperson Neel Garg said, addressing a press conference. In a letter on October 10, the Ministry of Power sought comments from the BBMB's four partner states to increase the number of “whole-time members” from two (Punjab and Haryana) to four by accommodating Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Garg said the Centre’s latest move exposed its “anti-Punjab” mindset and represented “yet another deliberate attempt to weaken Punjab’s control over its water and power resources”. Displaying a central government's letter, Garg said, “This letter from the Centre, sent to the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Rajasthan, clearly shows that the BJP wants to permanently include Himachal and Rajasthan in the BBMB. This is nothing but another betrayal of Punjab.” Garg said Punjab has historically borne the financial burden of the BBMB. “Despite over 40 per cent of its expenses funded by Punjab, the state continues to face repeated attempts by the BJP to snatch away its legitimate share of resources.” Garg said the BJP’s “hostility” toward Punjab is not new. “From denying funds to manipulating the BBMB, the BJP has consistently conspired to economically and politically weaken Punjab.” The AAP leader pointed out that earlier this year, the BJP had even tried to divert Punjab’s share of river water to Haryana through the BBMB, but Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s firm stand prevented the injustice. “Now, through this new attempt, the BJP is trying to dilute Punjab’s rights once again by changing the BBMB's structure,” Garg said. He accused BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar, Ravneet Bittu and Ashwani Sharma of acting as “mouthpieces of their Delhi bosses” instead of standing with Punjab during this crisis. “I want to ask these leaders: Do you support this anti-Punjab BBMB decision? Will you stand with Punjab or with your Delhi high command, who are repeatedly stabbing Punjab in the back?” Garg questioned. Lashes Centre's 'apathy' towards flood-hit families Garg also lashed out at the Centre for its “continued apathy” towards Punjab’s flood-hit families. “The BJP government at the Centre promised Rs 1,600 crore as relief after devastating floods, but did not release a single rupee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew over Punjab in a helicopter, made empty promises, and left. Not a single paisa has reached Punjab,” he said. “Instead, the Centre insulted Punjab by counting advance SDRF instalments and national highway funds as part of the Rs 1,600-crore package, effectively giving Punjab nothing new,” Garg alleged.
