Congress today said it is a litmus test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find a lasting solution to the SYL issue through dialogue after the Supreme Court held that Punjab cannot "unilaterally" terminate the water sharing pact or legislate to "nullify" the verdict of the highest court.
"This is a litmus test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do justice and honour his constitutional responsibility. The ball lies in the court of PM Modi.
"All the three governments -- at the Centre, in Punjab and Haryana, belong to BJP. The onus is on Modiji to fulfill the solemn responsibility to the Constitution, implement the law and enforce the orders of the Supreme Court," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
Another Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said the party would come out with an appropriate reaction as soon as the details of the verdict are available.
"We are dealing with two states in which BJP plays a prominent role. We would expect the Prime Minister to have an interface with both the sides and find solutions. So the ball is in his court.
"The challenge is for the Prime Minister. Solutions need to be found. This can only be processed through dialogue and not monologues from both sides," he said.
Vaddakan said it is therefore important, be it is between Haryana and Punjab or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the intervention of the Prime Minister is required. Without that interface, solutions cannot be found.
"It is a challenge for the Prime Minister to find solutions urgently," he said.
Asked about Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh resigning from Lok Sabha and all MLAs from the state assembly, the Congress leader said it would not be extra-ordinary for reactions coming on that count.
"These are emotionally-charged issues. Because both sides want water. At the same time, we need to find a lasting solution which is not a patchwork. It is, therefore, very important that solutions be found by dialogue," he said.
Surjewala, who hails from Haryana, said it's a "historic and path breaking" verdict that upholds Haryana's claim on SYL.
"Victory for people, justice for Haryana. Satyamev Jayate!," he tweeted.
Former PCC chief and Punjab Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa, however, said the ruling against Punjab on SYL issue has come as a major setback to people of Punjab.
"PM Modi-led central government and Badals-led state government have failed to protect the interests of the state. Our MLAs have resigned to protest the decision. They will protest all across Punjab to safeguard the interests of the state," he said.
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Surjewala said SYL is a testament of hope and faith for people of Haryana and today's "path breaking and historic" verdict of Supreme Court's Constitution bench has affirmed that indelible right of Haryana over the pristine blue water of the canal.
"A long struggle waged by people of Haryana and Congress has borne fruit. Truth and justice has finally won. I hail this historical and path breaking verdict on behalf of all Haryanvis," he said in a statement.
The Congress leader said the Supreme Court has clearly ordered the Government of India to ensure construction of SYL Canal through Punjab territory and give Haryana its due share of water of 3.85 million acre feet.
He said over 2.5 crore Haryanvis are demanding their right over the pristine blue water of Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal as a riparian state as also a successor state to the Joint Punjab.
"Time has come for BJP governments and Prime Minister Modi to honour not only the duty towards the Constitution but also fulfill the mandate given to BJP, both at the Centre and in Haryana," he said.
Bajwa said as a Rajya Sabha member, he will fight for the rights of Punjab and its people in Parliament during the winter session starting November 16.
