Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of politicising the ongoing water dispute between the two states, following Mann’s refusal to release additional water to Haryana.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Saini clarified that Haryana had only received 60% of its required water supply, amounting to 4,000 cusecs last week, and emphasized that the issue was not linked to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal case currently under Supreme Court review, but concerned Haryana’s drinking water needs.
“He is trying to politicise this issue. This is not about SYL water—it is about drinking water. Haryana has not received its full share. The remaining requirement is negligible compared to Bhakra Dam’s capacity,” Saini said.
The Haryana CM also alleged that Mann’s refusal was politically motivated after AAP’s loss in Delhi, claiming, “When AAP was in power in Delhi, there were no objections. But after losing Delhi, Mann is acting to punish the people of Delhi by blocking water.”
Saini appealed to Mann to set aside political interests and act in the nation’s broader interest, warning that failure to manage reservoir levels before monsoon season could lead to excess water flowing into Pakistan. “Bhakra Dam must be emptied before June. Otherwise, rainwater will overflow into Pakistan via Hari-ke-Pattan—this benefits neither Punjab nor the country,” he added.
He further criticized Mann for misleading the people of Haryana, claiming that the Punjab CM promised water would be released but later ignored communications and instead issued a political video. Saini also refuted Mann’s claims about dam water level monitoring, stating that BBMB and state governments have consistently tracked water usage across the region.
The dispute adds to rising tensions between the neighboring states over water-sharing arrangements, with both sides standing firm amid growing concerns about supply shortfalls.