In a tumultuous session that transpired in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann presented a small padlock to the Speaker, symbolizing his intent to confine Opposition members within the House premises during proceedings.
This move faced sharp criticism, escalating confrontations and marking a historical nadir in the level of debate within the legislative assembly. Compounding this turmoil is the bitter political feud reminiscent of cats and dogs between these parties under the INDIA Alliance, though they are mutually announced to fight individually for the General Election in Punjab.
Chief Minister Mann’s action was accompanied by scathing remarks targeting the disruptive behavior of the Opposition, accusing them of avoiding accountability and hampering the House’s smooth functioning. Despite the Speaker’s pleas for decorum, the confrontation persisted, resulting in a sharp exchange of remarks between Mann and the Opposition MLAs.
The intensity of the argument peaked when Chief Minister Mann proffered another lock, symbolizing his determination to keep Opposition members within the House, further fueling the verbal sparring. The assembly’s atmosphere became charged as accusations and counter-accusations flew between the leaders.
The verbal exchange took a personal turn when Chief Minister Mann questioned the allegiance of Opposition leader Pratap Singh Bajwa, asserting, “Who does Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi sit with? With me. Have you ever sat with them?” He claimed that despite agreements on seat sharing, the Opposition should not permit Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to allocate crucial Lok Sabha seats. Mann insisted on preventing the Opposition from evading the truth and urged the Speaker to ensure their presence in the House.
Opposition leader Pratap Singh Bajwa responded vehemently to Mann’s remarks, leading to a sharp exchange of verbal attacks between the two leaders. Mann even proposed placing another lock on Bajwa’s mouth, heightening the acrimony.
“The unprecedented session represents a historical low in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, with below-the-belt remarks, personal attacks, and symbolic gestures dominating the proceedings. The exchange not only showcased the deep-seated animosity between the ruling party and the opposition but also raised concerns about the decorum and standards of debate within the legislative assembly. As the state grapples with political tensions, the aftermath of this fiery session is bound to have lasting implications on Punjab’s political landscape,” says Bikramjit Singh Majithia, Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader.