This is one issue on which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is divided. It has taken three different stands on the sharing of Punjab’s river waters with neighbouring states.
The BJP, which is in power at the Centre, has maintained a neutral stand on the water-sharing issue between Punjab and Haryana through the controversial Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. The Narendra Modi government, in its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, spelled out its neutral stand, saying the issue has to be resolved by both states.
Following the recent Supreme Court verdict holding that the Punjab Termination of Water Agreement Act, 2004, was illegal, and that Haryana’s claim for more water was legitimate, the BJP has emerged a divided house.