Chandigarh, May 8 — Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday called for the immediate dismissal of Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Bains, accusing him of unlawfully detaining Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) chairman Manoj Tripathi at Nangal dam for nearly two hours.
Describing the incident as “illegal, unconstitutional and unacceptable,” Hooda said, “A central government official was held hostage. Such actions cannot be tolerated in a democracy.”
He was speaking to reporters in Chandigarh amid growing tensions between the two states over water distribution from the Bhakra-Nangal system.
Hooda also demanded urgent intervention from the Union government, including the deployment of central forces at the dam and the removal of Punjab Police from the site.
“This dam is a central project. BBMB’s technical committee handles water distribution. No state minister has the authority to interfere or act like a dictator,” he noted.
The Congress leader voiced support for Haryana’s demand for its rightful share of water, saying, “Haryana is not asking for anything extra. It is demanding only what is legally and historically due.”
He pointed out that water sharing from the Bhakra system has not led to disputes since Haryana’s formation in 1966.
“Why has a crisis erupted now?” Hooda asked. “Because the political base of AAP in Punjab is eroding. This is a desperate attempt to stir emotions ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Referring to the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s recent directives, Hooda said the court has clearly instructed the Punjab government not to interfere in water allocation. “Despite that, the Punjab government is acting in defiance of judicial orders,” he mentioned.
He urged the Haryana government to present its case more assertively and pressed the Centre to resolve the issue promptly. “We are united on this matter. The opposition is with the government. We will take every drop of water that is our right,” Hooda said.
He also noted that Haryana’s rights continue to be undermined due to the long-pending non-construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, a key component of the state’s water infrastructure demands.
