Guv Kaptan Singh Solanki backs Punjab on river water rights

Punjab governor Kaptan Singh Solanki on Tuesday reiterated the state’s right over its river waters during his speech on the opening day of the assembly budget session amid a walkout by the Congress.

Solanki, who is also the Haryana governor, found himself in a peculiar position where he had to deliver a speech sections of which went directly against the interests of Haryana.

What’s more, the governor also put forth Punjab’s demand for making Chandigarh as its exclusive capital (currently it’s the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana), besides the transfer of Punjabi speaking regions to the state.

The 345-para speech --- a large part of which the governor skipped reading out in the House --- was full of strong rhetoric and overt political tones reading almost like a SAD-BJP commentary.

Referring to “clear evidence” of direct involvement of the “high and mighty of those days” in the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage, the governor demanded exemplary punishment for the guilty. “Because of the massive political clout enjoyed by the killers, looters, rapists and arsonists in this grave human tragedy, no action has been taken against them so far. In fact, the guilty were allowed not only to go scot- free but also rewarded with high and powerful positions, including cabinet berths in the government and ruling party of that time,” said Solanki.

Terming the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib as “most heinous in nature and grave threat to peace”, the governor said the “body, soul and mind of Punjab and the country were traumatised”.

Hailing the state police’s remarkable response to the two fidayeen attacks, the governor said: “At Dina Nagar, the bravery and exemplary leadership of Punjab Police ensured the defeat of the highly motivated, dangerously armed and professionally trained group of killers.”

“During the Pathankot airbase attack, Punjab Police provided credible, reliable and concrete advance intelligence. As a result, it became the first of its kind security operation in the country in which the NSG was able to deploy itself at the suspected target area even before the aggressors reached there,” said the governor.

Solanki patted the Punjab government’s back for winning the Khadoor Sahib bypoll, adding that the victory demonstrated the holy town’s preference for peace, communal harmony and development.

The governor went on to call the Punjab chief minister a “saint statesman”.

Read: Water sharing: Protesting Congress MLAs walk out of Punjab assembly