CHANDIGARH: Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, today accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of systematically compromising the state’s rights and federal autonomy under the garb of populist narratives and political drama.
Bajwa stated that since 2022, the AAP-led Punjab government has consistently released water to Delhi and Haryana, disregarding Punjab’s own needs. However, once AAP’s political fortunes began to decline in Delhi, the Mann government halted the supply and launched a dramatic campaign portraying the Chief Minister as the saviour of Punjab’s water — amplified by AI-generated videos and a well-scripted media narrative.
“Behind this distraction lies the real story — the surrender of Punjab’s authority over the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), ” Bajwa said. He pointed out that a March 2022 directive from the Central Government replaced Punjab Police with 296 CISF personnel for security at BBMB installations like Nangal Dam. This deployment comes at a staggering cost of ₹8.58 crore per year, which either BBMB or the Punjab government must bear — a burden that did not exist when Punjab Police was responsible.
Bajwa also highlighted a troubling pattern of concessions by the Mann government: requesting new High Court and Assembly buildings in New Chandigarh, which is already part of Punjab despite having existing infrastructure in Chandigarh, surrendering Punjab’s claim on staff in the Chandigarh administration, and offering no resistance to the CISF deployment.
“This is not governance. This is surrender disguised as leadership, ” said Bajwa. “Mann’s government is playing both sides — posturing as Punjab’s protector while silently enacting Delhi’s script.”
Bajwa called on the people of Punjab to see through the theatrics and stand up against the erosion of the state’s rights.