India, May 2 -- Amid escalating tension with Punjab after Haryana demanded an additional 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra dam, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said he was only seeking the state's rightful share of Sutlej river water as stipulated in existing agreements.

Interacting with the media in Panchkula on Friday, Saini reiterated his stance against the "dirty politics" being played by the Bhagwant Singh-led Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab over the sharing of water resources. "Haryana is simply demanding its rightful water share as stipulated in existing agreements. We are asking for water for drinking purposes, not for irrigation," Saini said.

"Without this share, the water would be wasted and ultimately flow...