Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Slams BJP Over ‘Water Conspiracy’, Says Not a Drop to Spare.
Punjab Water Crisis has reached a boiling point, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accusing the BJP of scheming to siphon the state’s already restricted water supplies. Mann declared unequivocally that Punjab has “no water to spare,” underlining that each drop belongs to the state’s farmers and inhabitants.
Water Wars: Politics or necessity?
The dispute occurred when Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini said Mann had promised extra water supply to Haryana. Mann promptly contradicted the claims, stating that he first learned about Saini’s letter via media outlets. He described the allegation as “a bundle of lies” and accused the Haryana administration of intentionally deceiving the people.
“This is not just misinformation—it’s an attempt to distort the truth and manipulate the situation,” Mann said. He emphasized that Punjab’s water problem is grave, with rapidly depleting dam levels and groundwater supplies.
BBMB Distribution and Alleged Misuse.
Mann stated that each year, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) distributes water among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Punjab got 5.512 MAF during the 2024-2025 period, while Haryana received 2.987 MAF. Mann pointed out that Haryana has already used all its water share by March 31, 2025.
Despite this, Punjab made a humanitarian gesture, sending 4,000 cusecs of water per day to Haryana beginning April 6, 2025. “This was done out of goodwill, not obligation,” Mann remarked. However, Haryana has now sought an extra 8,500 cusecs each day, which Mann believes is mostly for irrigation.
Drought like conditions in Punjab
The Punjab Water Crisis is exacerbated by extreme drought-like conditions. Mann said that critical dams such as Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar had seen considerable drops in water levels compared to the previous year. “Punjab is already straining to satisfy its agricultural requirements. “How can we give away water that we don’t have?” he said.
He also cautioned that Punjab’s groundwater table is fast falling, emphasizing the need for water conservation measures. “Every drop of water is a matter of survival now,” Mann said.
Political Undercurrents and Federal Strains
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ‘ਤੇ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਤੇ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਹੱਕ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਹੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਰ ਵੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਹੀ ਝਲਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਅਸੀਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਹਿਰੀ ਸਿਸਟਮ ਠੀਕ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਖੇਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਨਹਿਰੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਵਧਾਈ ਹੈ। ਸਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ ਵਾਧੂ ਪਾਣੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।
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पंजाब के पानी पर सिर्फ पंजाब के लोगों और… pic.twitter.com/zWvcbxLmPc— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 1, 2025
Mann accused the BJP of abusing its position in Haryana and at the Centre and raised alarm over BBMB decisions that seem to support decreased water entitlements for Punjab. “This isn’t federalism. “This is bullying,” he said, pledging that Punjab will fight any attempts to exploit its water resources.
He ended with a bold statement: “Punjab’s waters belong to Punjab.” We shall defend our rights, legally, politically, and ethically.