'No Real Issues': CM Bhagwant Mann Slams Congress After Vidhan Sabha Chaos
Tension erupts at Punjab Vidhan Sabha as Congress MLAs are blocked from entry, leading to a heated clash with AAP and accusations of Taliban-style rule.
The Punjab Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama and heated confrontations on Tuesday as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Congress clashed over entry restrictions and disrupted proceedings. The tension peaked when several Congress MLAs were allegedly blocked from entering the premises, sparking a political firestorm between the two parties.
CM Bhagwant Mann Hits Back at Opposition
Responding to the chaos, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a scathing attack on the Congress party. He accused the opposition of habitually creating disruptions and staging walkouts to avoid meaningful debate. According to the Chief Minister, the Congress party finds itself in a contradictory position, demanding assembly sessions only to refuse participation once they are called.
"That is simply what Congress do, cause a commotion and walk out," Mann stated. "They complain when a session isn’t called, yet when it is, they either don’t show up or refuse to stay seated. The truth is, the Congress has no real issues to raise."
Chaos at the Gates: The Entry Blockade
The friction began when senior Congress leaders, including Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and Pargat Singh, reported that they were denied entry into the Vidhan Sabha premises. The situation escalated into a physical and verbal altercation between AAP MLA Jasvir Singh Raja Gill and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa.
The clash occurred while Punjab Minister Balbir Singh was addressing the media. Dr. Balbir Singh accused the Congress legislators of engaging in political disruption by attempting to prevent a government minister from speaking to the press.
'Is This Kabul?': Partap Singh Bajwa's Allegations
As the Question Hour commenced, Partap Singh Bajwa raised a strong objection to the blockade, questioning the legality of the move. Bajwa claimed that the notice used to stop the MLAs from entering the building did not even bear the signature of the Speaker.
In a stinging critique of the administration, Bajwa asked the Speaker whether the Constitution of India was still in effect or if the assembly was being run like Kabul under the Taliban. He emphasized that denying an elected representative entry into the Vidhan Sabha is unprecedented in Punjab's history, arguing that even suspended members like Sukhpal Singh Khaira should be allowed on the premises, even if they are barred from participating in the session.
Protests and Symbolic Defiance
Before the assembly proceedings, the Congress party had already set a tone of defiance. Legislators arrived dressed in black robes, carrying placards and raising slogans against the AAP government's alleged failures.
In a symbolic act of protest, the Congress MLAs burned a broom—the election symbol of the Aam Aadmi Party—outside the Vidhan Sabha to highlight their grievances against the ruling administration.
Speaker's Clarification
Amidst the uproar, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan intervened to clarify the rules of entry. The Speaker stated that no MLA could be stopped from entering the House, with the sole exception of those who are currently serving a suspension.