Punjab Assembly: Opposition alleges CM Mann drunk, demands alcohol test

Punjab Assembly: Opposition alleges CM Mann drunk, demands alcohol test | Quick Digest
Opposition parties in the Punjab Assembly accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of being intoxicated during a special session. The Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal demanded alcohol and dope tests for all MLAs, leading to a walkout by Congress members. CM Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party have dismissed these allegations as baseless.

Key Highlights

  • Opposition accuses Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann of intoxication in assembly.
  • Congress and SAD demand alcohol and dope tests for all MLAs.
  • Congress stages walkout over alleged CM's conduct.
  • CM Mann and AAP dismiss allegations as baseless.
  • Speaker rejects demand for immediate alcohol and dope tests.
  • Controversy erupts during a special session on Labour Day.
A significant political controversy erupted in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, May 1, 2026, during a special session convened to mark International Labour Day. Opposition parties, primarily the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), leveled serious allegations against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, claiming he appeared to be intoxicated while attending the assembly proceedings. This accusation led to high drama, with Congress MLAs staging a walkout and demanding immediate alcohol and dope tests for all members of the House, including the Chief Minister. The demand for testing was also echoed by other opposition figures, including BJP leaders and former AAP MP Swati Maliwal, who had recently joined the BJP. The controversy began when Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann objected to Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira's use of a mobile phone during the session, emphasizing the need for decorum. This exchange escalated when Khaira, in response, made an allegation that the Chief Minister was present in the House in an inebriated state. The Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, supported Khaira's claim and formally wrote to the Speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, demanding that the doors of the Assembly be locked and an immediate alcohol (alcometer) test be conducted on all MLAs, starting with the Chief Minister. Bajwa described the situation as a "black day for democracy" and stated that the Chief Minister should not have come to the House in such a state. The opposition parties also called for comprehensive dope tests for all legislators. Several media reports from The Times of India, India Today, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and others extensively covered the incident, quoting various political leaders. Swati Maliwal, a recently joined BJP MP, shared a video of Mann addressing the assembly and accused him of repeatedly attending public functions and official meetings under the influence of alcohol, even recalling an alleged incident at Frankfurt airport. She also reminded Mann of a promise he made before the elections to abstain from drinking. Similarly, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar stated that the Assembly is the "temple of democracy" and entering it under the influence of alcohol would be disrespectful. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have vehemently denied these allegations. Mann dismissed the demands for testing as baseless, stating that the opposition had no other issues to raise. AAP leaders, including Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, have termed the allegations as "totally false" and politically motivated, suggesting that they were an attempt to disrupt the session and divert attention from other issues. The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly reportedly rejected the opposition's demand for an immediate alcohol or dope test during the special session. The special session was also convened for the AAP government to win a confidence motion, which it did successfully amidst the opposition's walkout. Chief Minister Mann used the occasion to assert the party's unity and dismiss rumors of instability, especially following the defection of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP. While the controversy dominated the proceedings, the confidence motion was passed, and the government sought to project a united front. The incident has highlighted the sharp political divisions in Punjab and raised questions about conduct and accountability within the legislative assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main allegations made by the opposition against Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann?

Opposition parties in the Punjab Assembly, including the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of appearing intoxicated or drunk during a special session of the Assembly. They demanded immediate alcohol and dope tests for him and all other MLAs.

What was the reaction of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party to these allegations?

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party have vehemently denied all allegations, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated. Mann stated that the opposition had no other issues to raise. AAP leaders called the claims false and an attempt to disrupt the Assembly proceedings.

What action did the opposition take in response to the alleged incident?

Following their allegations and the denial from the ruling party, Congress MLAs staged a walkout from the Punjab Assembly. They also demanded that the Speaker initiate action and pressed for immediate alcohol and dope tests for all legislators.

Was an alcohol or dope test conducted on the Chief Minister or other MLAs?

The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly reportedly rejected the opposition's demand for an immediate alcohol or dope test during the special session. No such tests were conducted as part of the Assembly proceedings on that day.

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