Chandigarh: The latest Punjab Vidhan Sabha session once again proved that Punjab politics has discovered a wonderful formula: the Assembly can be serious about everything—except perhaps taking itself too seriously.
The session began with protests, walkouts and allegations, and before the legislators could fully settle into their chairs, the political theatre was already in full swing. Congress wanted to protest with placards, the placards were stopped at the gate, and the Congress MLAs walked out. In Punjab politics, apparently even a placard now needs permission to enter the House.
Then came the paper-leak controversy. Congress raised the issue and walked out, giving the session an early taste of what was to come. One could almost imagine the Assembly watchman asking: “MLA sahib, are you entering the House to participate in the proceedings—or to walk out?”
But the biggest comic moment came when BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma made his controversial comparison involving the birth of a girl and a boy. The remark immediately produced noisy scenes, with AAP members demanding an apology. In a House already full of political arguments, one more argument was added to the menu.
Punjab politics has reached a stage where even childbirth can apparently become a subject of political credit and blame. The satirical version would be: if a child is born, first check which government should receive the credit—and which government should be blamed.
The Assembly also witnessed the familiar political mathematics. The ruling party had the numbers, the opposition had the microphones, and the Speaker had the chair. The public had the television and social media clips.
And then there were the walkouts. Punjab’s opposition parties have perfected the art of leaving the House. The government may say, “They have no arguments,” while the opposition may reply, “We are protesting because we are not being allowed to argue.” Meanwhile, the empty opposition benches become another character in the Assembly drama.
Perhaps Punjab should consider introducing a new parliamentary category: “Walkout with explanation.” Every MLA leaving the House could be given two minutes at the door to explain why they are leaving, followed by a press conference outside explaining why they were forced to leave.
The Speaker’s chair also remained at the centre of attention. In every Assembly, the Speaker is supposed to maintain order. In Punjab, maintaining order can sometimes look like trying to referee a cricket match in which every player is convinced that the umpire is biased.
The real tragedy behind the comedy, however, is that Punjab has serious problems waiting outside the Assembly gates. Debt is rising, unemployment remains a major concern, drugs continue to damage families, government employees are demanding their dues, and people are demanding better law and order.
The public therefore has a simple question: When will the comedy end and the real legislative work begin?
A Vidhan Sabha should not become a theatre where the audience remembers only who shouted, who walked out and who made the funniest remark. The real performance should be measured by the laws passed, questions answered, corruption exposed, finances examined and people’s problems solved.
Punjab does not need a comedy show inside the Assembly. It needs an Assembly that can make politicians laugh—and the people of Punjab breathe a little easier.
Until then, the unofficial motto of the House might well be:
“Welcome to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha—please keep your seatbelt fastened. The next walkout may begin at any time.”