The Punjab-Haryana water dispute has flared up once again, with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini hitting back at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over allegations related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and water allocation issues. The war of words erupted after Mann accused the BJP-led Centre and Haryana of trying to pressure the Punjab government through the BBMB to release more water, despite Punjab's claims that Haryana had already exhausted its quota in March.

Responding strongly, CM Saini accused Bhagwant Mann of "twisting facts" and misleading the public. "Instead of responding to my formal communication, he released a video disregarding factual details," Saini remarked, expressing surprise at Mann’s response to the ongoing issue. Saini referred to a letter dated April 27, in which he had written directly to the Punjab CM following a conversation on April 26.

According to Saini, during the phone conversation, he brought to Mann's attention the alleged reluctance of Punjab officials to implement the BBMB Technical Committee’s decision from April 23, which directed the release of water to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Saini claims that Mann had assured him verbally that the matter would be addressed by the morning of April 27. However, as per the Haryana CM, no progress was observed, prompting him to follow up with a formal letter seeking immediate resolution.

The Haryana Chief Minister also emphasized that the Technical Committee of BBMB had made its decision based on objective data and equitable principles. He urged Mann to ensure that water is released without delay and in accordance with the decision made by the Committee. Saini's position aligns with long-standing demands from Haryana for equitable water sharing between the two states, a politically sensitive topic with deep historical and legal ramifications.

On the other hand, Bhagwant Mann had earlier accused the BJP of using institutional pressure to "bully Punjab" into releasing more water to Haryana. According to Mann, Haryana had already utilized its allocated quota by March, and the current demands were unwarranted. He claimed that BBMB was being misused under pressure from the Centre, and his government would not bow to such tactics. Mann also took to social media, posting a video where he reiterated these allegations and questioned the transparency of the BBMB's decision-making process.

The political clash comes amid rising temperatures and growing water demand across North India, especially in agrarian states like Punjab and Haryana. Water disputes between the two states are decades-old, rooted in the complex reorganization of Punjab in 1966 when Haryana was carved out. Since then, multiple agreements and legal verdicts—including the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue—have failed to bring about a lasting resolution.

The BBMB, set up under the Punjab Reorganization Act of 1966, has historically managed the water distribution among Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh. However, the board's decisions have often sparked controversy, especially during times of water scarcity.

In recent years, Punjab has maintained that it is incapable of sharing additional water due to decreasing water tables and environmental degradation, while Haryana has insisted on its legal and constitutional right to its allocated share. The Supreme Court of India has also weighed in on water-sharing issues, but implementation remains contentious.

This latest exchange between Saini and Mann adds fuel to an already volatile issue, with political and electoral implications, especially as both states prepare for future assembly elections. While the BJP-led Haryana government maintains it is seeking rightful implementation of BBMB’s technical decisions, the AAP-led Punjab government views the demands as part of a larger political conspiracy to undermine Punjab’s autonomy and deplete its resources.

Observers note that the use of public messaging, social media videos, and letters between CMs indicates a shift from closed-door negotiations to public posturing, which could either pressure quicker resolution or further polarize the issue. The matter has also drawn attention from farmers' unions, water rights activists, and opposition parties who have demanded greater transparency from BBMB and central authorities.

As summer sets in and water demands rise sharply, the Punjab-Haryana water-sharing dispute is likely to escalate further if mutual consensus is not reached promptly. Both states will need to balance political rhetoric with cooperative federalism, especially in the face of looming environmental and agricultural challenges. The outcome of this dispute will not only affect inter-state relations but also millions of farmers and residents dependent on Bhakra Beas water for daily survival and cultivation.

In conclusion, the latest standoff between CM Nayab Singh Saini and CM Bhagwant Mann exemplifies the growing tension between state governments and central institutions over resource management. With both leaders standing firm on their respective positions, the Bhakra Beas water-sharing debate continues to stir political waters in North India.

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