Chandigarh, May 1: Chandigarh witnessed high drama in the Punjab Assembly during its special one-day session on International Labour Day, as the Opposition Congress party demanded alcohol and dope tests for all legislators, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The demand, raised by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, led to heated exchanges, disruptions, and eventually a walkout by Congress MLAs.

Bajwa insisted on a closed-door alcohol test of all MLAs inside the Vidhan Sabha after allegations surfaced that the Chief Minister appeared drunk during proceedings. He further pressed for comprehensive dope testing of all legislators across treasury and opposition benches, arguing that medical verification was necessary to uphold transparency and accountability in the House.

The situation escalated when several Congress MLAs entered the Speaker’s office, demanding immediate alcometer testing. The Speaker was forced to intervene multiple times to maintain decorum as tempers flared between the treasury and opposition benches. Chief Minister Mann objected to the conduct of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, sparking further disruptions.

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Outside the House, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema dismissed the allegations against the Chief Minister as baseless, accusing the Opposition of lowering the dignity of the Assembly. He pointed to a recent complaint against Khaira regarding alleged illegal encroachment on Panchayat land, suggesting the Congress was attempting to deflect attention.

The controversy drew sharp reactions from other political parties. The Shiromani Akali Dal  condemned the Chief Minister’s conduct, claiming he appeared drunk in the Assembly and demanded a dope test. The BJP’s state working president Ashwani Sharma also criticized Mann, calling his alleged behaviour an insult to the dignity of the legislative institution.

In a formal letter to the Speaker, Bajwa reiterated the Congress Legislative Party’s demand for mandatory alcohol and dope testing of all MLAs, beginning with the Chief Minister, within one hour. He warned that failure to address the issue could undermine public trust in the Assembly.

The uproar has added a new layer of tension to Punjab’s political landscape, with the Opposition framing the demand as a matter of institutional integrity, while the ruling party accuses rivals of political theatrics. For now, the Assembly remains divided, with the controversy likely to fuel further debates in the days ahead.