Clear your stand on SYL: Badal asks Kejriwal

Criticising the AAP leadership for adopting "double standards" over the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday asked AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to clear his stand on the issue.

Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party is trying to emerge as a major force in the next Punjab assembly polls likely to be held in February 2017, had earlier said Punjab should not allow the construction of the SYL canal.

However, the Delhi government has opposed the Punjab Termination of Water Agreements Act 2004, which is being heard by the Supreme Court following a presidential reference.

"Kejriwal owes an answer to the people of Punjab as what was the stand of his party on this emotive issue (SYL canal) concerning every Punjabi. The AAP should tell whether they want this canal to be constructed or not," Badal told the media during an event in Lambi assembly constituency in Muktsar district.

"The Akali Dal had opposed the construction of this canal since its inception by launching a morcha. We are ready to make any sacrifice but construction of SYL will not be allowed to take place at any cost," Badal said.

Citing scarcity of water and a dangerously depleting ground water table, the Punjab government has made it clear that it will not share any more water with neighbouring states, especially Haryana.