BJP leaves out transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab in manifesto

Jalandhar, Feb 4 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not included issues of interstate river water dispute and transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab, in its manifesto released for the February 13 assembly elections.

However, party state president Avinash Rai Khanna assured his party would remain committed for upholding interests of Punjab over these contentious issues.

Releasing the manifesto for the ensuing assembly elections here today Mr Khanna said that although the issues of river water and transfer of Chandigarh had not been included in the manifesto but the party stand on these issues was well known and unchanged.

Mr Khanna said that BJP had always favoured the transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab and would remain committed on this issue.

He said that his party had also cleared its stand on inter state river water dispute time and again at various fora. The party had clear opinion that there was no surplus water available with Punjab to share with neighbouring states.

The party is contesting the assembly elections in alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD). While the BJP has fielded its candidates on 23 of the total 117 assembly seats the senior alliance partner SAD is contesting the remaining seats.

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