Protests were held in the Dhuri constituency of Punjab on Sunday against the visit of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini by the political leaders and workers of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over rising political temperatures in the area. The protests were an indication of the surging conflict between the ruling AAP government in Punjab and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding various historical issues between the two states.
AAP activists, who were holding placards and raising slogans in parts of Dhuri, opposed the visit of Chief Minister of Haryana Virbhadra Singh. In answer to charges of the BJP for being ‘anti-Punjab’ on water sharing issues, Chandigarh and other inter-state matters, protesters had protested against the party’s policies.
The leaders of the party contended that the rights of the province Punjab have been ignored over several issues of its farmers and residents. They had expressed their concern that the unresolved disputes over water distribution in the rivers continue to be a major issue which the BJP-led government has not taken proper care of.
The protest became political when Dhuri is the Assembly constituency of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The protesters see the protests as part of the emerging political rivalry between AAP and BJP in the upcoming electoral battles in the state.
This led to a protest against the Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini who proceeded with his engagements in Haryana despite the protest. The BJP leaders brushed aside the claims and insisted that the party was still dedicated to the development and welfare of all the states including Punjab. They also lambasted the AAP for what they termed “politicization of inter-state issues”.
Security measures were stepped up in the region in order to facilitate the visit in a peaceful manner. Police forces were used at several points and there were no major incidents of violence reported during the demonstrations.
Political analysts say the incident is a reflection of the growing political rivalry between national and regional parties in the province of Punjab ahead of the next elections.
In the coming months, water-sharing, Chandigarh’s status, and regional development will continue to be major topics in political discussion in Punjab as both sides keep on shooting at each other.
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