"In times of war, we should forget all differences and unite": Anil Vij on Punjab-Haryana water dispute

Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], May 12 (ANI): Amid the Punjab-Haryana water dispute, Haryana Minister Anil Vij on Monday called for unity, stating that national interests must be prioritised over regional disagreements.
"This is a time of war, and in times of war, we should forget all differences and unite," Vij said.
"Punjab is a border state, and by raising any issue, you spoil the unity of the country, which will not be good for the country," he added.
The Haryana Minister alleged political motives behind Punjab's position. "Until the AAP government was in Delhi, they never stopped the water, and now they want to take revenge on us for their defeat in Delhi," Anil Vij claimed.
He also referred to Punjab's historical role in providing water to others. "Punjab has a tradition of quenching everyone's thirst, and they want to stop drinking water. They should end this issue and things should go on as before," Vij said.
The tensions between Punjab and Haryana over water continued to escalate as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refused to release any further water to Haryana, claiming that it had already used its allocated quota.
On Sunday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann alleged that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) tried "to steal water once again" from the Nangal Dam for Haryana, but the local people foiled their attempts.
"They attempted to steal water once again. The people here foiled those attempts," Mann told ANI.
He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exerting pressure on Punjab through BBMB.
"But the BJP sends BBMB here every day. Punjab is fighting at the border. Where should we pay attention, there or here?" he asked.
Mann described the 'repeated' visits by BBMB officials as part of a larger agenda. "They (BBMB) come here every day. This is bad. But we won't let their conspiracies succeed," CM Mann said.
He also alleged that BBMB is "looting" Punjab's water.
Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab CM announced that the state would provide additional water from its quota to Rajasthan to support the Indian Army deployed along the border.
In an official post on X, CM Mann asserted that when it comes to national interest, "Punjab never backs down," and affirmed that the water of Punjab--and even its blood--is available for the nation's brave soldiers.
"Today, the Rajasthan government demanded more water from Punjab's quota. The army deployed on the Rajasthan border for the country's security needs additional water. Whenever it comes to the interest of the country, Punjab never backs down. If Punjab's water is there for the country's brave army, then our blood is also there. Keeping in mind the needs of the army personnel, I have directed Rajasthan to provide additional water immediately," CM Mann posted on X. (ANI)