At CM's 90th b'day, SYL, 60, is SAD theme

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal on Thursday rallied behind party patriarch chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on his 90th birthday, making safeguarding Punjab's water interests its core theme for the upcoming assembly elections.Nobody will be allowed to construct the SYL canal, Akali leaders announced.
The `Paani Bachao, Punjab Bachao' rally at Moga, which was billed as SAD's last show of strength before the mode code of conduct is enforced, drew huge crowd to the venue from across the state.
“It has been an eventful journey for me all these years.This is the biggest rally of my life, as it comes on my birthday.I am glad that at this poignant time I'm announcing a war to save water and won't let a drop go out of Punjab. Punjab's economy depends on agriculture which in turn is dependent on water,“ said Badal.
The chief minister said he was confident that his “historic decision to de-notify the SYL land will bring welfare and relief for the farmers“. Apart from Panthic agenda, agriculture-oriented policies on irrigation and power have largely catapulted SAD's fortunes in the past polls.
As a well-conceived strategy, the party brought out a bevy of its old leaders, including senior Badal's contemporaries Sukhdev Dhindsa, Ranjit Brahmpura, Bibi Jagir Kaur, and Prem Singh Chandumajra.The party veterans spoke about the time spent with Badal, recollecting his days before and after Emergency , his jail terms, agitations and contribution to the gurdwara reform movements.
Unlike the past events, where SAD chief Sukhbir Badal's photographs dominat ed venues, it was Badal senior whose pictures on balloons, larger-than-life billboards and saffron flags stood out.
“My father is turning 90 today . It's a memorable occasion for the man who spent more than a decade in jail. He spent time with your ancestors and forefathers before becoming a five-time chief minister with a modest beginning as zila parishad member. Besides, it has been Shiromani Akali Dal that has fought against the Congress, then PM Indira Gandhi and Capt (Amarinder Singh) since Kapuri (where SYL foundation was laid) days. Our resolve to save water will be seen when our signature campaign will show number of people against SYL to the President,“ said Sukhbir.
`Meri jaan chali jaaye, pani di ik boond ni jaan diyange'
A ddressing the crowd at Moga rally, SAD president Sukhbir said: “Meri jaan chali jaaye beshak, poore Akali Dal di jaan chali jaaye, magar pani di ik boond ni jaan diyange (I'm ready to sacrifice my life, even Akali Dal is ready to make the sacrifice, but will not allow even a drop of water out of Punjab).“ Punjab BJP chief and Union minister of state Vijay Sampla also called for safeguarding the state waters. “Punjab has no spare water to share and should be allowed to freely use its water,“ he said.