During the discussion on the state budget in the Punjab Assembly, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa engaged in a heated argument, triggered by Mann’s request to the Governor to lock the opposition inside the assembly. Before the budget discussion began, Mann handed over an envelope to the governor, containing a lock and a key, symbolizing his request.
In response to the suggestion, a heated exchange unfolded between Mann and Bajwa. Mann expressed frustration, urging Bajwa to inform the Congress central leadership not to allocate seats to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Mann highlighted his association with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, stating, “Who does Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi sit with? With me.”
#WATCH | Chandigarh: Amid the heated argument between Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Congress MLA and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa in the state assembly, CM Bhagwant Mann says, "Who does Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi sit with? With me. Have you ever sat with them? On one hand, you are… pic.twitter.com/xilZG9L5qM
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2024
The altercation led to the adjournment of the house for 15 minutes. Speaking to reporters, Bajwa criticized the Chief Minister’s conduct, stating that the doors of the Assembly should not be locked, and he openly accepted Mann’s challenge to contest against him in the elections.
The AAP and Congress, allies in the INDIA bloc, have opted for a ‘friendly fight’ in Punjab, with agreements reached on seat-sharing in various states, including Delhi, Haryana, Goa, Chandigarh, and Gujarat. The Congress will contest specific Lok Sabha seats in these regions, while the AAP will field candidates in others, fostering cooperation between the two parties.