Ahead of the crucial 2017 assembly polls in Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal targeted the AAP and Congress over their stand on the SYL canal issue, alleging that both parties were planning to "rob" the state of its due share of water.
Calling upon people to safeguard waters of the state, he claimed that plans were being made to turn Punjab into a desert, and added that if the farming sector was destroyed, the state would be crippled.
Congress and AAP are both "enemies" of Punjab's peace and prosperity and are charting plans to "rob" the state of its due share of water, he said.
He charged Congress with "illegally" providing water from Punjab to states like Haryana and Rajasthan which have no right over it.
Recalling that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had laid foundation stone of SYL at Kapoori village, Badal said state Congress chief Amarinder Singh had praised her for the step at the time and even gifted her a silver hoe and bowl.
He said the Akali Dal had organised a rally against the move during that time, and has fought for Punjab's share in water ever since.
Hitting out at AAP, Badal said the new affidavit favouring SYL that the Delhi Government filed in Supreme Court was a "political stunt".
He said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "anti-Punjab" stance had been reflected in first affidavit.
Badal alleged that Kejriwal had a soft corner for Haryana as he hailed from that state, which is why it would not be wise to expect him to take Punjab's side.
He said peace, harmony and development have always been the priorities of the SAD-BJP government and would remain the main agenda in the Assembly election too.
"In the forthcoming assembly elections Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janta Party's main issue will be peace, harmony and the unprecedented development the government has ushered in state," Badal said here.
He said projects worth Rs 12,000 crore have been started in the state to provide basic amenities like drinking water, roads, street lights and sewerage etc.
Badal reminded people about the "unprecedented"
development in Punjab under the SAD-BJP regime.
He said the SAD-BJP alliance was "everlasting" as it was based on principles and not meant for power sharing.
The Chief Minister further said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punjab has been immensely benefited in a short span of BJP-led NDA government's rule at the Centre, as the state got several key projects which are instrumental in putting Punjab on high growth trajectory.
Badal hailed the NDA government for granting All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Post Graduate Horticulture Research and Educational Institute among others projects to the state.
In his address, SAD President and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said Punjabis were peeved as the perpetrators of anti-Sikh carnage, that took place on this day, were roaming free.
He also accused the Congress governments of having "discriminatory attitude" towards Punjab, saying after independence several states were carved out on linguistic basis but Punjab was an exception due to discriminatory attitude of the then Congress government.
Sukhbir said though after struggle by SAD, the present Punjab came into existence but still it was deprived of its capital, share in river waters and Punjabi speaking areas.
He added that the struggle for getting these issues addressed would continue.
He said Punjab faced acute power crisis during previous Congress regime, led by Amarinder Singh, but now it was power surplus due to the concerted efforts of SAD-BJP alliance government and was supplying cheapest power to its consumer.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government has ensured smooth and hassle-free procurement of foodgrains through network of grain markets and free power to farmers.
Reminding people about the "barbaric" attack on Harmandir Sahib, he said Congress was "inimical" to interest of state and it had devastated the most revered holy place of Sikhs, the SAD-BJP alliance has ensured complete face-lift of such holy places.
He also said the state government would soon set up network of 2,500 shops which would provide free medicines.
Sukhbir alleged that Congress government had failed to give job to a single person "but the alliance government has provided jobs to lakhs of people".
Claiming that the CM had dedicated his entire life for sake of people and the state, he said some divisive forces were trying to incite communal tension to pursue their vested political interests.
The Deputy CM said the UPA government had not given a single penny to the state.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister and state BJP Chief Vijay Sampla said Punjab and its people had immensely served the country by making it self-reliant in foodgrains production and ensuring its defence from foreign invaders.
Though the state has passed through turbulent times but the Punjabis have always upheld the ethos of communal harmony and brotherhood, he said, adding some forces were hell bent upon disturbing the peace and prosperity of the state.
