Mohali, May 6 -- Senior congress leader and former Punjab health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu has condemned the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) decision to allocate 8,500 cusecs of water from Punjab rivers to Haryana, terming it unconstitutional and a direct assault on the state's rights.

"Punjab has no surplus water to offer. It is unacceptable for the BBMB to direct us to share our rightful share of water with Haryana," Sidhu said, expressing concern over the state's growing water crisis. He criticised the Centre for unilaterally reallocating Punjab's water without consulting the state, calling it a betrayal to the people of Punjab.

Sidhu also slammed the timing of the decision. "At a time when the country is mourning the loss of...