Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab has strongly objected to the BJP-led central government’s amendment in the rules governing appointments in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), stating that the move reflects a consistent pattern of attempts to undermine Punjab’s rights and weaken the federal structure, with party leaders asserting that the Centre is seeking to tighten control over the state’s key institutions and resources.
Condemning the move, Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “The BJP-led central government has amended rules for appointments in BBMB officers, and this clearly shows that the BJP does not want to miss any opportunity to undermine Punjab and usurp its rights. The Centre’s policies clearly indicate its intent to assert control over every aspect of Punjab, making the state feel this pressure at every step.”
The Minister asserted, “It is a direct attack on Punjab’s rights and the federal structure of the country. It is deeply unfortunate that such a decision was taken on the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, who envisioned a strong federal framework.”
Harjot Singh Bains stated, “Punjab’s water management is closely tied to BBMB and removing the mandatory provision of appointing a Punjabi officer undermines local expertise and threatens the state’s interests. Allowing officers from outside without regional understanding could increase risks and weaken Punjab’s control over its resources. This move is unconstitutional, and it must be rolled back immediately. BJP leaders in Punjab must clarify their stand on this issue.”
Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal said, “The BJP-led central government’s amendment in BBMB rules is a deliberate and forceful attempt to interfere in Punjab’s rights and control its vital resources. Since the formation of the Bhakra Beas Management Board in 1974, there had been a clear and undisputed arrangement where the Member (Power) was from Punjab and the Member (Irrigation) from Haryana, with no complaints from partner states.”
He pointed out, “However, the Centre has now, through manipulation and ‘clever wording’ like giving only ‘preference’ instead of exclusivity, opened the door to appoint members of its choice. Punjab had already opposed the move to increase the number of members, as it would unnecessarily increase financial burden, borne significantly by Punjab, but its objections were ignored. This is an attempt to overtake dams and weaken state control. Why is the Centre disturbing a system that had no disputes?”
He noted, “The earlier deployment of CISF at dams has already added financial strain on Punjab despite decades of efficient security by Punjab Police. If there is any illusion that Punjab’s waters can be taken away through such decisions, it must be abandoned immediately. The AAP government and the people of Punjab will not allow any plunder of their waters and will fight at every level to protect the state’s rights and farmers’ interests.”
AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “The changes made in the rules of the BBMB are completely unacceptable. Key posts which earlier belonged to Punjab have now been made ‘open,’ allowing any person from across the country to be appointed there. The real intention of the BJP is clear, that they want to capture Punjab’s water by any means. Whether it is the issue of water, Punjab University, or Chandigarh, they want to take control over everything.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge stated, “On one hand, the BJP makes tall claims of contesting elections and forming a government in Punjab, while on the other hand, it leaves no stone unturned in strangling the state’s interests. This expansionist mindset of the BJP poses a serious threat to Punjab’s federal structure. Even before forming a government in Punjab, BJP is threatening the security of state’s rights. If, even by mistake, they come to power, they will put Punjab’s very existence at risk.”
Baltej Pannu declared, “The people of Punjab fully understand these moves of the BJP. The aware citizens of Punjab have neither allowed their previous conspiracies to succeed nor will they allow their current intentions to be fulfilled. The AAP will remain firmly committed on every front to safeguard Punjab’s rights.”
