Punjab Congress leaders accuse Centre of undermining federal rights of state

Chandigarh: Punjab's leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has accused the BJP-led central govt of "systematically undermining Punjab's constitutional rights and federal autonomy under the direction of Union home minister Amit Shah."Bajwa said, "The recent decision to open the membership of the Bhakra Beas Management Board to non-stakeholder states is part of a larger and deliberate pattern to dilute Punjab's control over its own resources and institutions. BBMB is directly linked to Punjab's river waters, which form the backbone of the state's agrarian economy, and any attempt to alter its composition amounts to interference in Punjab's water rights."He alleged, "This is not an isolated move but part of a series of actions by the Centre, including appointing BBMB chairmen from outside the stakeholder states, repeated interference in institutions like Panjab University, increasing central control over the administration of Chandigarh, allowing Haryana to push for a separate assembly building in Chandigarh, and continued pressure on contentious issues like the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal, all of which reflect a consistent attempt to weaken Punjab's position."He said, "BJP, having failed to gain political ground in Punjab, is now trying to control the state administratively and indirectly, which amounts to ruling Punjab by proxy."Bajwa said, "Such continued encroachment poses a serious threat to the federal structure of the country and undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism." He also criticised the AAP-led govt for its "complete inaction" and said "at a time when Punjab needed a strong response, the state govt has chosen silence, thereby emboldening the Centre." Bajwa urged the state govt to immediately approach the Supreme Court and challenge these decisions legally. On the other hand, Congress MP from Gurdaspur and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa accused the central govt of "weakening Punjab's traditional role" and said "it amounts to an attack on federal rights." Randhawa also accused the AAP-led govt of "failing to protect Punjab's interests." He urged the central govt to "immediately reconsider the decision and ensure full protection of Punjab's interests." Senior Congress MLA Pargat Singh said, "Any move aimed at diluting Punjab's traditional stake in BBMB is troubling and must be subjected to immediate review through a transparent and consultative process."He asserted, "BBMB is not merely an administrative mechanism but a vital institution linked to Punjab's agricultural economy, irrigation requirements, and its contribution to national food security. Unilateral alterations in its structure could disturb the delicate equilibrium of cooperative federal governance."MSID: 130261096 413 |