BJP ministers hit out at INLD, call SYL Canal digging a ‘publicity stunt’

CHANDIGARH: Three Haryana ministers hit out at the opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) for “inciting” the people to undertake digging of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal to serve its vested political interests.

In separate statements, three ministers – Capt Abhimanyu, Nayab Singh and Anil Vij – accused the INLD of attempts to vitiate the atmosphere of the state by misleading the people through such “publicity stunts”.

Finance minister Capt Abhimanyu said the INLD leaders were talking of digging up the Punjab portion of the SYL to maintain their relevance in state politics.

“When the Supreme Court has already given its verdict in favour of Haryana, it is difficult to fathom if this action has any other objective. The court verdict has come due to efforts of the BJP government in the state. The INLD feels the SYL is about to be constructed and wants to take credit for it,” he said, calling the re-digging move a political “drama”.

Similarly, minister of state for labour and employment Nayab Singh also accused the opposition party of not doing anything for SYL and weakening the state’s position in the matter instead. “Haryana is moving in the right direction. The state’s victory in the court is the victory of the BJP,” he claimed.

Health minister Anil Vij said the step taken by the INLD was not in the interest of the people of the state.

He accused the Akali Dal and the INLD of colluding to hamper the construction of the canal. “The state government will not allow these parties to succeed in their evil designs. It will ensure that the people of the state get their share of river water within the limit of the law,” he said.

ABHIMANYU, NAYAB SINGH AND VIJ ACCUSE THE OPPOSITION PARTY OF ATTEMPTS TO VITIATE THE ATMOSPHERE