In a tumultuous turn of events during the budget session at the Punjab Assembly, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa engaged in a heated exchange. Chief Minister Mann warned of revealing the truth, suggesting the locking of assembly gates to prevent the opposition from leaving. The dispute allegedly stemmed from the Chief Minister humiliating a Dalit MLA, accusing him of having a ‘seizure.’
The ongoing budget session, now in its second day, has been marred by disruptions. Governor Banwari Lal Purohit faced resistance during his address, with the first day concluding abruptly after Congress MLAs refused to let him read the budget speech. The session saw significant uproar over the farmers’ protest issue.
Chief Minister Mann criticized Congress for disrupting the Governor’s address, emphasizing the importance of respecting speeches by top officials. LoP Bajwa questioned the conduct of the House, prompting Mann to challenge him to stay seated and accused him of a history of leaving. Mann warned of a potential 13-0 situation in Punjab favoring AAP in the Lok Sabha seats.
Accusations flew as Mann accused Bajwa of indulging in petty politics and disrespecting AAP MLAs from humble backgrounds. Mann challenged Bajwa to prevent Congress’s alliance in other states, highlighting his associations with Rahul and Sonia Gandhi.
Congress countered, alleging that the argument originated from Chief Minister Mann insulting a Dalit MLA. Bajwa demanded Mann’s resignation and pledged to contest against him in Parliament elections. Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli, emotionally affected by Mann’s alleged ‘seizure’ remark, vowed to seek revenge for the insult to his community.
Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring reiterated the ‘seizure’ remark claim, emphasizing the humiliation faced by a Dalit person. The political turbulence in Punjab continues as the budget session unfolds.