INLD flays BJP over 'betraying' Haryana on SYL issue

INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala today accused the BJP government in Haryana of "betraying the interests" of the state on the "vital issue" of completion of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

"BJP had promised that it would complete the construction of SYL canal... Instead of fulfilling its promise, it has been inventing new excuses to avoid carrying out its constitutional duty," he said addressing workers from the INLD and BSP as part of the 'Jail Bharo' agitation here.

"BJP has betrayed the interests of Haryana on (the) vital issue of completion of SYL," the leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly added as 16300 INLD-BSP workers, including Chautala, state INLD president Ashok Arora and BSPs state vice president Narendra Verma courted arrest.

The joint protest was organised for the construction of the SYL canal, as directed by the Supreme Court, the completion of the now abandoned Dadupur-Nalvi canal and getting Mewats legitimate share of water from Agra canal.

He said that if the SYL canal was not completed then the whole of south Haryana would be in danger of facing a serious water crisis including farms and human habitats.

The BJP had been voted to power in Haryana for lack of credible alternative to Congress but now the people have an option in the form a third front government, he said referring to his party's alliance with the BSP.

He also accused the BJP of betraying the farmers by going back on its promise of implementing Swaminathan Commission report.

Castigating the party's rule in the state, he said that in its nearly four years of rule it has attempted to destroy the traditional amity and brotherhood by trying to divide the castes and social groups.

BJP tried to create insecurity among the minority community and spread hatred against them, he said.

He assured the supporters of both the parties that if the INLD-BSP alliance was voted to power, the government would not only waive loans of farmers but also implement the Swaminathan Commission report.