Punjab CM Mann trying to create differences among people, says Haryana CM Saini-OxBig News Network

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. File photo
| Photo Credit: PTI

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday (May 6, 2025) accused his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann, of “trying to create differences among the people” for political gain, amid an ongoing face-off between the two States, particularly over water-sharing issues.

Speaking at a gathering at his official residence in Chandigarh, Mr. Saini criticised Mr. Mann’s stance on water sharing. “It is wrong for a person holding a constitutional position to make controversial comments about not sharing water. Mr. Mann is provoking people, while he should be working for the welfare of the people of Punjab. Instead, he is making such remarks to boost his political career,” said Mr. Saini.

Asserting that “Haryana and Punjab are brothers,” the Haryana Chief Minister alleged that Mr. Mann was attempting to create discord. “The Mann government should instead work for the welfare of farmers. They should guarantee that they will purchase their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, they have failed to do so and, instead, the Mann government has resorted to using force against farmers,” Mr. Saini stated.

He further predicted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would face a significant defeat in Punjab in the future, drawing a parallel with the electoral defeat of AAP in Delhi this February. “The way the Aam Aadmi Party was ousted by the people of Delhi, in the near future, the people of Punjab will also ensure the complete defeat of this party,” Mr. Saini remarked.

Taking a dig at the AAP, Mr. Saini accused the party of failing to deliver on its election promises in Punjab. “The AAP had promised to provide ₹1,000 to women but has not fulfilled that promise to date. They are only indulging in vote-bank politics,” he claimed.

In contrast, Mr. Saini highlighted his government’s initiatives in Haryana, stating, “Our double-engine government in Haryana has committed to providing financial assistance to women under the Lado Laxmi Scheme, and fulfilling this commitment, we have allocated ₹5,000 crore in this year’s budget.”