SAD Delegation Meets Punjab Governor, Opposes Haryana's Land Demand For Assembly Building

A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday met the Punjab Governor and opposed Haryana's proposed move of setting up an additional building of its state assembly in Chandigarh.

The delegation, which was led by SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, also raised the issue of alleged deteriorating law and order in the state.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Badal said Union Territory Chandigarh belongs to Punjab.

“We told Governor Saab that the people of Punjab will never tolerate that the land be allotted to Haryana in Chandigarh for setting up its assembly,” Badal said.

Haryana can construct the building of its assembly in Panchkula, he added.

Notably, Haryana has sought a 10-acre land in Chandigarh for additional building of its state assembly. It has identified the 10-acre piece of land adjacent to the traffic lights of Madhya Marg near railway station road junction.

In lieu of it, Haryana has offered the 10-acre site in Panchkula.

Recently, Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta had met Punjab Governor Purohit and had discussed with him about land allotment.

In July at the northern zone council meeting in Jaipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced land for setting up an additional building for Haryana Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh.

At present, the Punjab and Haryana governments share the Vidhan Sabha complex which is next to the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Union Territory of Chandigarh. 

SAD chief Badal also raised the issue of alleged deteriorating law and order in the state under the Aam Aadmi Party regime.

“Nobody is feeling safe here. People are getting extortion calls,” alleged Badal.

Badal even took a swipe at the AAP government, saying Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other party leaders were busy in Gujarat in the wake of the state assembly polls there.