Chandigarh, November 15 (IANS). Senior Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda expressed his opinion on the matter on Friday amid the political uproar over the central approval given to the demand for construction of a separate assembly building for Haryana.
Bhupendra Singh Hooda said that we (Haryana) have as much right on Chandigarh as Punjab has. Therefore, it is not relevant to oppose any leader of Punjab in this matter.
It is noteworthy that a delegation of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday and urged that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and not even an inch of land here should be allotted to Haryana for the construction of the assembly building at any cost. Can be done.
While talking to journalists, Bhupendra Hooda bluntly said, “We also have a right on Chandigarh.”
He further said, “There are basically three topics between Punjab and Haryana, which should be discussed extensively. First – water, second – Hindi language, third – capital.”
He said, “Punjab should give us water first. Give us our rights. Why can’t we take our share from Punjab? Our share is 40 percent, out of which we have got only 27 percent, which is not fair in any respect.”
The Congress leader said, “Our share is located in Chandigarh, so there is no justification in giving 12 acres of land. Our share is 40 percent in Chandigarh. Now my stand regarding this entire matter is that we will remain firm on our demands. First of all our demands should be met. After this, the outline of further steps will be decided.”
He said, “Punjab is sitting with our share. I want to say it clearly once again that we will not give up our share at any cost. I have now made my view clear. Now it depends on the top leadership what steps are taken.”
Earlier, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini had targeted the leaders of Punjab who were raising questions on the construction of the assembly building. He had also said that “As much right as Punjab has on Chandigarh, it is ours too” and it is not appropriate for the leaders of Punjab to raise any kind of question on the construction of the assembly building.
The Union Environment Ministry has approved the proposal related to the construction of a new building of Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh. After this, the way has been paved for the construction of a separate assembly building for Haryana. But, the way questions are being raised by the leaders of Punjab regarding this, the leaders of both the states have now come face to face regarding it.
–IANS
SHK/AKJ
