'Mind Your Language': Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Congress LoP Engage In Heated Argument In Assembly
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann slammed Congress MLA Pratap Singh Bajwa for disruption in the Governor's address and also accused him of disrespecting AAP MLAs as they come from humble backgrounds.
The Punjab Assembly's budget session descended into chaos with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress MLA Pratap Singh Bajwa engaging in heated exchanges. Chief Minister Mann, during the session, warned the Speaker that he would speak the truth, and the opposition would run away. He even suggested locking the gates of the assembly from the inside to prevent opposition members from leaving triggering an uproar, as per news agency PTI.
On the other hand, the Congress has claimed that the heated argument between Mann and Bajwa ensued after the Punjab Chief Minister allegedly humiliating a Dalit MLA saying he was having a 'seizure'.
The ongoing budget session saw the second day of debates today. Governor Banwari Lal Purohit delivered his address yesterday, which was marked by disruptions. On the first day of the session, Congress MLAs refused to let the Governor read out his budget speech, leading to its abrupt conclusion within 13 minutes. The session witnessed significant uproar over the farmers' protest issue, causing disruptions throughout the proceedings, as per ABP Sanjha.
In a video shared by news agency ANI, the Punjab Chief Minister is seen slamming the Congress MLA for disruption in the Governor's address. "The Speaker can give anyone the time to speak as he is the custodian of the House. You should know the Governor and the President's speech should not be disrupted."
LoP Bajwa can be heard saying, "Is this the way to conduct the House? Can any democracy go on like this?"
In response to Bajwa's other remarks, CM Mann further asked him to "Mind your language". He challenged the LoP to remain seated and not leave the assembly, "You have a history of running away every day. The doors will be locked from inside so that the Opposition remains seated."
#WATCH | Chandigarh: A heated argument took place in the Punjab Assembly between Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Congress MLA and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa after the Governor's address was allegedly stopped by the Opposition. pic.twitter.com/PLciYE5QZ9
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2024
Mann accused Bajwa of indulging in petty politics. Referring to the Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, CM Mann warned Bajwa, "The situation in Punjab will become 13-0 (in favour of AAP). The way you talk reflects your inner ego. Seventy per cent of Congress leaders in Punjab have joined the BJP. You have files of all informers."
The Chief Minister also accused the Congress leader of disrespecting AAP MLAs as they come from humble backgrounds.
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann On AAP-Congress Alliance
The Punjab Chief Minister went on to challenge the Punjab Congress leader to stop the grand old party's alliance in other states, "Who do Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi sit with? With me. Have you ever sat with them? On one hand, you are making agreements (on seat sharing) with us. Go and tell them (Sonia and Rahul Gandhi) not to give Kurukshetra, Delhi, and Gujarat (Lok Sabha) seats for us. If you carry that much heft.."
#WATCH | Chandigarh: Amid the heated argument between Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Congress MLA and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa in the state assembly, CM Bhagwant Mann says, "Who does Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi sit with? With me. Have you ever sat with them? On one hand, you are… pic.twitter.com/xilZG9L5qM
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2024
Notably, CM Mann even presented a lock in the Asse
Congress Alleges Punjab CM Mann Mocked Dalit MLA
Congress MLA and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa claimed that the argument ensued as the Punjab Chief Minister 'insulted' the party's Dalit legislator.
He claimed, "Our Dalit MLA from Adampur Sukhwinder Singh Kotli asked about the promise to make a Dalit Deputy CM and raised slogans. The CM passed a jibe that he was having a seizure... CM Mann has forgotten the culture of Punjab... We demand Bhagwant Mann's resignation..."
Bajwa said he has accepted Mann's challenge, "Wherever Bhagwant Mann will contest Parliament elections, I will contest against him... He was taunting and verbally abusing everyone..."
#WATCH | Chandigarh: On the heated argument in the Punjab assembly earlier today, Congress MLA and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa says, "... Our Dalit MLA from Adampur Sukhwinder Singh Kotli asked about the promise about making a Dalit Deputy CM and raised slogans. The CM passed a jibe… pic.twitter.com/i1TD1YElAy
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2024
About the heated exchange, Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli broke down after Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's alleged 'seizure' remark at him for demanding to fulfill the promise of a Dalit Deputy CM.
According to PTI, He said, "The CM had promised to make a Deputy CM in Punjab. We were raising slogans, asked him when will you make a Dalit Deputy CM. He insulted us and used derogatory words. We will never tolerate this. Sukhwinder Kotli will take revenge from you for the insult his community."
VIDEO | "The CM had promised to make a Deputy CM in Punjab. We were raising slogans, asked him when will you make a Dalit Deputy CM. He insulted us and used derogatory words. We will never tolerate this. Sukhwinder Kotli will take revenge from you for the insult his community,"… pic.twitter.com/VrtJxLRKM4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 4, 2024
Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring reiterated the alleged 'seizure' remark claim and asked, "What else can be more humiliating for a Dalit person?"
#WATCH | Chandigarh: On the heated argument in the Punjab assembly earlier today, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring says, "Our MLA Sukhwinder Kotli was raising a demand that there should be a Dalit Deputy CM. They had made a promise in Jalandhar that they… pic.twitter.com/xiNLjaWjW2
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2024
As an uproar ensued in the Punjab Assembly, the Speaker intervened, stating that the symbolic act of locking the door was to facilitate discussions in the House. However, tensions persisted, and the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes after a heated exchange between treasury benches and Congress MLAs.
Even after adjournment, tensions flared up as ruling AAP members approached the opposition benches following remarks made by Bajwa. The situation remained tense, with verbal exchanges narrowly avoiding turning physical, as per PTI.
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