Opposition legislators in the Punjab Assembly demanded a breathalyzer and dope test for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session on Friday [1].
The demand follows allegations that the chief minister arrived at the assembly intoxicated, raising questions about his fitness to lead the session and govern the state.
Opposition parties, led by the Congress, accused Mann of slurring his speech. MLA Partap Singh Bajwa said the conduct was "deeply troubling" [1]. The legislators requested that Mann undergo an alcohol and dope test on the assembly floor to verify his condition [2].
There are conflicting reports regarding the scope of the request. Some reports state the opposition demanded the test specifically for Mann [1]. Other accounts indicate the Congress demanded that all MLAs, including the chief minister, undergo the testing [2]. The speaker rejected the request.
Separate from the intoxication row, the assembly experienced significant political shifts. Six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab switched their allegiance from the Aam Aadmi Party to the BJP [3].
Rekha Gupta described the situation in the assembly as shameful and disgraceful. She said the events will prove to be the final nail in the coffin of their corrupt rule [4].
The clash occurred in Chandigarh, where the special one-day session was convened to address state business [1].
“"deeply troubling"”
The demand for a medical test on the assembly floor signals a breakdown in parliamentary decorum and a high level of hostility between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the opposition. When combined with the defection of six Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP, these events suggest a volatile political environment in Punjab and a concerted effort by opposition parties to challenge the legitimacy and stability of the current administration.
