Proceedings in the Punjab Legislative Assembly were disrupted during a special one-day Labour Day session after Opposition members alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attended the House under the influence of alcohol. The situation escalated into chaos as Opposition MLAs demanded that the Chief Minister undergo an alcohol test, a demand that was rejected by Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan.
The controversy began when Mann objected to Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira allegedly using a mobile phone during Assembly proceedings. Khaira responded by raising an earlier instance involving the Chief Minister’s wife being present in the visitors’ gallery. The exchange quickly intensified, with Mann responding sharply, and the discussion turning confrontational.
During the heated argument, Khaira accused Mann of appearing to stammer and alleged that he had arrived in the Assembly after consuming alcohol. The claim was supported by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, who called for all MLAs, including the Chief Minister, to undergo an alcohol breath test to resolve the issue. The demand further fueled tensions in the House.
The Shiromani Akali Dal also joined the criticism, releasing video clips from the Assembly session and describing the situation as inappropriate. The party demanded a public test to verify the allegations. Despite the mounting pressure, Speaker Sandhwan declined the Opposition’s request for an alcohol test, maintaining procedural control over the session.
As disruptions continued, Chief Minister Mann responded by stating that the session had been convened to mark Labour Day and honour workers, urging members to maintain decorum and focus on the intended purpose of the sitting. However, the Opposition remained unconvinced, leading to a walkout by Congress MLAs. Subsequently, members from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal also exited the House in protest.
The session, convened by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, was intended to pay tribute to the working class. Despite the Opposition’s absence, the government proceeded with its agenda and introduced a confidence motion, which was passed unanimously with all AAP legislators present in the Assembly.
The developments come amid recent political shifts, including the resignation of several Rajya Sabha members associated with the ruling party who later joined the BJP. The disruption during the Labour Day session highlights ongoing political tensions within the state Assembly, where procedural disputes and allegations have overshadowed legislative proceedings.
