Stormy Scenes in Punjab Assembly as Opposition Demands Alcohol Test for All MLAs Including CM

India: A heated confrontation erupted during a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly on Friday after Congress opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa demanded that all attending lawmakers, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, undergo alcohol breath tests.

Bajwa proposed that the assembly doors be sealed and that every MLA be subjected to an on-the-spot alcohol test, escalating tensions in the house. The demand followed serious allegations by Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who earlier accused the chief minister of being intoxicated during the proceedings.

Backing the claim, Bajwa said, “If the head of the assembly himself is under the influence, what is the purpose of this session? This is a black day for democracy.” He further urged Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to order immediate testing of all members, not just the chief minister, and suggested medical examinations by doctors from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI).

Opposition members insisted that the testing apply equally to ruling party legislators, calling it a matter of transparency and accountability. However, Speaker Sandhwan rejected the demand, prompting opposition MLAs to stage a walkout.

Speaking to the media outside the assembly, Bajwa reiterated that if the allegations were true, the matter was extremely serious and warranted an impartial inquiry.