Punjab floods: Partap Singh Bajwa slams AAP govt for ignoring IMD, BBMB warnings

CHANDIGARH: Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party govt for ignoring advance warnings by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) about above-normal rainfall this year.Bajwa alleged that instead of taking precautionary measures, the Bhagwant Mann-led govt “staged political drama,” even deploying police at the Bhakra dam gates to block water release and dragging the issue into a special session of the Punjab Assembly.Quoting a Times of India report, Bajwa said the developments raise serious questions — “Did AAP’s obsession with drama directly worsen Punjab’s flood disaster?”“Back in April, BBMB warned and IMD predicted above-normal rains. But instead of acting, the Bhagwant Mann govt staged a political drama, deployed police at Bhakra gates to block water release, and dragged the matter into a special session of the Assembly. Today, 65,000 cusecs from Bhakra and 80,000 from Pong are being released while Punjab drowns. It is proved beyond doubt that AAP Punjab ignored IMD’s warning, chose theatrics over preparedness, and left people to suffer,” Bajwa said.