Bhagwant mann: What Happened in the Punjab Assembly with ?

“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).” This outburst from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann set the tone for a tumultuous Labour Day session in the Punjab Assembly, where heated confrontations erupted over demands for an alcohol test on him.

The special session aimed to honor workers on Labour Day but quickly spiraled into chaos. Opposition members, primarily from Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), vocally insisted that Mann undergo an alcohol test, igniting a fierce debate. They claimed that his behavior during the session warranted such scrutiny.

The backdrop to this demand was a confrontation earlier in the session when Mann criticized Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira for using a mobile phone during proceedings. This incident fueled tensions, leading to accusations against Mann, including claims from Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal that he appeared “drunk” in the assembly.

Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan dismissed the opposition’s call for immediate alcohol tests, stating it was unnecessary. Yet, this did not quell the uproar; instead, it escalated political tensions within the assembly. The Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, supported the idea of breath analyzer tests for all legislators, highlighting concerns about public trust in governance.

In response to the chaos, both Congress and BJP members staged walkouts from the assembly. Sunil Jakhar from BJP emphasized that entering a temple or gurudwara under the influence of alcohol shows contempt and disrespect—an assertion that resonated with many in attendance.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government managed to pass a confidence motion unanimously amid this turmoil. However, Aman Arora from AAP criticized the opposition’s approach as adding “salt to the wounds of workers” and undermining the dignity of the House.

This session underscores deeper issues within Punjab politics—issues that have been exacerbated by recent controversies surrounding leadership and governance. As political factions grapple with their credibility and public perception, these confrontations may have lasting implications for future legislative sessions.