The Punjab Assembly session erupted into chaos on Labour Day as opposition members demanded an alcohol test for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The confrontation escalated after Mann objected to Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira using a mobile phone during proceedings.
Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan rejected the demand for an alcohol test, stating it was unwarranted. However, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa supported calls for an alcohol meter test for all MLAs, including the Chief Minister.
Amid the turmoil, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government moved a confidence motion, which passed unanimously. This action came as tensions between AAP and Congress MLAs intensified, leading to multiple walkouts from the assembly.
Congress staged a walkout in protest against what they described as disrespectful remarks from Mann. BJP leader Sunil Jakhar also weighed in, calling for breath analyzer tests for all legislators present during the session.
Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused Mann of appearing ‘drunk’ in the assembly, further fueling the controversy. This situation highlights growing political tensions within Punjab’s legislature.
Aman Arora from AAP responded to the accusations, emphasizing that such claims undermine public trust in the institution. He remarked that it is unfortunate when political parties resort to baseless allegations.
The special session was convened to honor workers on Labour Day and pay tribute to Punjab’s working class. However, it quickly transformed into a platform for political skirmishes rather than meaningful dialogue.
As political dynamics continue to shift within the Punjab Assembly, the next assembly session is expected to address these ongoing tensions and their implications for governance in the state.
