Bhagwant Mann Faces Chaos in Punjab Assembly Over Alcohol Test Demand
The Punjab Assembly session erupted into chaos as opposition members demanded an alcohol test for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, leading to heated confrontations and multiple walkouts. This special session, convened on Labour Day, was intended to honor the working class of Punjab but quickly devolved into a political battleground.
“She corrected herself. She is not a member of the House. You even target my daughter. Ae bakwas karda yeh banda (this guy is talking nonsense),” Mann exclaimed during the uproar. His remarks came after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira used a mobile phone during proceedings, prompting Mann’s objection and igniting further tensions.
The demand for an alcohol test was vocally supported by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, who argued that it should apply to all MLAs, including the Chief Minister. Despite the intensity of the call, Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan rejected the request, stating that it was not feasible at that moment.
As the situation escalated, several factions began to walk out of the Assembly. The Congress staged a walkout amid accusations flying back and forth—BJP leader Sunil Jakhar even suggested breath analyzer tests for all legislators present. The atmosphere was fraught with accusations of disrespect towards the assembly’s dignity.
Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal added fuel to the fire by accusing Mann of appearing ‘drunk’ during the session. Such allegations, if not addressed promptly, risk undermining public trust in this esteemed institution, as noted by Bajwa.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to pass a confidence motion unanimously amidst this turmoil. Yet, Aman Arora from AAP condemned the Congress’s actions as “baseless and frivolous,” arguing they only served to deepen existing wounds among workers and diminish the House’s dignity.
This chaotic session serves as a reminder of the ongoing political tensions within Punjab—a landscape where public trust hangs in delicate balance. As political parties continue to navigate this fractious environment, one must consider how such incidents will shape future interactions within the Punjab Assembly.
