CHANDIGARH: With the Satluj Yamuna Canal issue hotting up, the prospects of elections in Punjab are receding. What worries the center is the threat the canal work stoppage is likely to pose to Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal’s position in Haryana should “hostile” elements come to power in Punjab.

Mann is the first Akali leader who not only understands thoroughly Punjab’s constitutional rights but unlike other Akalis is not willing to enter into unprincipled compromises. This is the impression one gathers that Punjab owns all the water passing through the state. Haryana and Rajasthan do not have any legitimate claim to these rivers thus Punjab has the right to stop supplies already being made to these states. It could not allow any new supplies through the controversial SYL canal now being constructed.

The Akali agitation originally started on April 8, 1982 was directed against the canal issue on which the late Indira Gandhi was insistent. Slowly, not only traditional Akali leaders stop their opposition to the canal project but actually lent a helping hand to build the canal after the Rajiv Longowal accord.

Mann has taken up the issue and has said the canal must not be built because of its disastrous implications for Punjab’s economy.

Verma, the new governor was keen to hold elections. Following

Mann’s bombshell on the SYL issue and the bleak prospects of

Parkash Singh Badal winning, Verma’s enthusiasm appears to be winning. In any case SGPC elections were first being held to ascertain the mood of the Sikhs.

Punjab Congress I general Secretary Jagmeet Singh Brar announced at a press conference that there is plan to start filling up the SYL canal on August 15. He claimed he was working according to the Congress I stand. He said he had consulted those who matter in the party. Brar appears to be night as there was no official reaction even after a week of his “SYL Bharo morcha” call.

Brar’sagitation even if symbolic would be a source of acute embarrassment to Badal group and the Haryana govt. Badal went on record a few years ago saying that Sikhs blood and not water would flow in the SYL canal, Any change in his stand now would make him even more unpopular.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 6, 1990