Punjab CM calls all-party meet, special Assembly session as BBMB orders more water for Haryana

The announcements came during a meeting of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and ministers chaired by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. Punjab AAP in-charge Manish Sisodia also attended.

Meanwhile, the Centre has also called a meeting of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) partner states in Delhi on Friday. Chief Secretaries of all four states including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi have been called for a meeting at 11 am by the Union Home Secretary.

Punjab will be represented by Secretary Water Resources Krishan Kumar and Home Secretary Alok Shekhar.

On the all-party meeting, Mann said it is aimed to show political unity over Punjab’s rights on river waters. Asserting that Punjabis have a right to every drop, he urged parties to rise above differences and fight for the state’s interests. “It’s high time all parties unite and fight this war vehemently,” he said.

High drama unfolded as Mann rushed to Nangal Dam, declaring he wouldn’t allow a drop to flow to Haryana. Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains, MLA from Anandpur Sahib, also reached the site, staged a dharna, blocked the road to the dam, and locked the downstream gates meant to release water.

Mann, joining Bains, said BBMB could not dictate terms to Punjab. He accused Haryana of already using 16,000 cusecs beyond its share and alleged collusion between Rajasthan and Haryana to “rob” Punjab. “Punjab holds a 60% stake in BBMB. This decision is arbitrary, dictatorial, and undemocratic,” he said.

Confirming that Punjab government employees at Bhakra Dam had refused to release the water, Mann said, “They won’t act without our orders. BBMB has no authority to do this.”

He warned the Centre and the BJP-led governments of Haryana and Rajasthan that “this policy of repression will not work.” If the Centre doesn’t stop, he said, “it should forget about Punjab contributing paddy to the PDS.”

Mann said Haryana had exhausted its share by March and was now seeking more water illegitimately. He said Haryana had already used 103% of its allocated quota and accused the BJP of pressuring Punjab.

He added that Punjab had voluntarily released 4,000 cusecs daily to Haryana from April 6 as a humanitarian gesture for drinking needs. “Now they want more,” he said.

Dam levels are alarmingly low, he added—Pong is down 32 feet, Bhakra 12 feet, and Ranjit Sagar 14 feet compared to last year.

Earlier, the Punjab government stepped up security at Nangal Dam amid fears of unrest. During Wednesday’s BBMB meeting, where Punjab issued a dissent note, it said it had no water to share and that Haryana should have managed its quota.

Though the release hadn’t begun, a government official said, “Tempers are flaring. Punjab is already water-stressed. BBMB’s order may trigger unrest. We’re taking precautions.”

Mann “strongly opposed” the BBMB’s decision. In a post on X, he wrote: “Punjab strongly opposes the decision to provide water to Haryana. The BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana have united against us. This is another robbery of our rights. We will resist it.”

Punjab is also considering legal action. Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Water Resources Secretary Krishan Kumar, and DGP Gaurav Yadav held discussions during the day. “This is unprecedented,” said an official. “We may move the High Court.”

The ruling AAP called for statewide dharnas against the BJP-led Centre.

The BBMB order came after a vote in which BJP-ruled Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan backed additional release. Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh abstained. Punjab stood alone.

Following the vote, BBMB transferred Director (Water Regulation) Akashdeep Singh, who had refused to release water without Punjab’s consent. He was replaced by Sanjeev Kumar from Haryana. Akashdeep was moved to the post of Director (Dam Safety).

Punjab had earlier opposed Haryana’s demand, citing current allocations: 5.512 MAF for Punjab, 2.987 MAF for Haryana, and 3.318 MAF for Rajasthan. BBMB data shows Haryana has already used 3.110 MAF—103% of its quota.

All parties on same page

The issue brought rare political unity. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa wrote on X: “Punjab is being punished for feeding the nation. 103% water already used, yet more demanded? This is not allocation, it’s exploitation.”

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said not a drop should be released, though he criticised Mann’s “theatrics” and called it a diversion from national security matters.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said BJP-ruled Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi had “ganged up” with the Centre to rob Punjab. “This bullying will destroy our farmers and farm economy if not stopped.”