Nangal (Punjab) [India], May 11 : Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday alleged that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) tried "to steal water once again" from the Nangal Dam for Haryana, but the local people foiled their attempts.
"They attempted to steal water once again. The people here foiled those attempts," Mann told ANI.
He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exerting pressure on Punjab through the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
"But BJP sends BBMB here every day. Punjab is fighting at the border. Where should we pay attention, there or here?" he asked.
Mann described the 'repeated' visits by BBMB officials as part of a larger agenda. "They (BBMB) come here every day. This is bad. But we won't let their conspiracies succeed."
The CM also questioned the money given to BBMB, saying, "We will audit the funds given by the Punjab government to BBMB."
Mann also alleged that BBMB is "looting" Punjab's water.
Referring to a recent request from the armed forces, Mann stated, "The military asked for water in Rajasthan; we supplied it overnight. But we don't have any more water."
Rajasthan had sought additional water from Punjab's quota to meet the needs of army personnel stationed on the border.
On Saturday, CM Mann announced that the state would provide additional water from its quota to Rajasthan to support the Indian Army deployed along the border.
In an official post on X, CM Mann asserted that when it comes to national interest, "Punjab never backs down," and affirmed that the water of Punjab--and even its blood--is available for the nation's brave soldiers.
"Today, the Rajasthan government demanded more water from Punjab's quota. The army deployed on the Rajasthan border for the country's security needs additional water. Whenever it comes to the interest of the country, Punjab never backs down. If Punjab's water is there for the country's brave army, then our blood is also there. Keeping in mind the needs of the army personnel, I have directed Rajasthan to provide additional water immediately," posted CM Mann on X.