Don’t politicise SYL issue, Jakhar cautions Sukhbir

Sukhbir asking Capt not to go for talks on the issue is akin to bringing a noconfidence motion against the NDA govt.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Friday accused Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal of trying to stall talks on the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue and said he should refrain from politicking on the sensitive issue.

Addressing mediapersons at Congress Bhawan here, Jakhar said Sukhbir's statement asking Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh not to go for talks on the issue is akin to bringing a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, of which his party is an ally. The Centre had on Thursday sought six weeks from the Supreme Court to resolve the issue by holding talks between Punjab and Haryana.

Sukhbir had said, “Amarinder should learn from past mistakes when he accompanied the then PM Indira Gandhi to inaugurate digging of the SYL canal.The Punjab government needs to send out a clear message to Punjabi farmers that no negotiations could be held to barter away their river water.”

Jakhar said the SAD should first part ways with the National Democratic alliance (NDA) before taking a stand against its ally BJP. “It goes to the CM’s credit that he has tried to open a dialogue with the Centre cutting across party lines. Sukhbir is worried that if the Congress government is able to resolve the issue, his party will lose face," Jakhar said.