All must speak in one voice on new Assembly matter: CM; Opposition says stand by govt

After the Congress raised the issue of “irresponsible statements” by Punjab leaders on a new complex for the Assembly on the last day of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha session here today, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the construction of the new Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh was a serious issue and all parties should rise above politics and speak in one voice.

Don’t give up right on Chandigarh

The government should not give up its right on Chandigarh. A new Assembly should be built along with the existing one, and not on some other land far away. Along with this, the issue of water and Hindi-speaking areas with Punjab should also be strongly put forward. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Former CM

As soon as the proceedings began, Congress leader Ashok Arora said Haryana had as much right on Chandigarh as Punjab did. “The city is a joint capital for the two states till Punjab gives us the 107 Hindi-speaking villages of Abhohar and Fazilka. They are holding back our share of water through the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal despite the Supreme court’s order. Punjab’s leaders are going about making irresponsible statements. I think we should not give any money or land in exchange for land for our new complex since it is our capital,” Arora said.

Speaker Harvinder Kalyan said an all-party meeting would be held to discuss the “serious issues” and no discussion would be allowed till the matter was discussed.

Saini said Punjab leaders had previously politicised issues like the SYL canal, depriving Haryana farmers of their legitimate share of water. The Supreme Court has also ruled that Haryana farmers are entitled to this water.

“Such actions, where even the directives of the Supreme Court are bypassed, should not happen in this country. It is unfortunate that now the Punjab leaders are raising questions about the construction of the State Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh. We will have our next delimitation exercise in 2026, so we need to increase the seating capacity. We will hold an all-party meeting, and this is not about politics. We have to send out a message that Haryana is united,” the Chief Minister said.

He emphasised that the entire state of Haryana stands united on this issue. He assured that whatever all the members of the Vidhan Sabha say unanimously, the government will take that forward.

Meanwhile, extending their support to the government on this issue, the Opposition stated that it would stand by the government and that the Chief Minister should lead and all parties would come together to present a united front.