Chandigarh: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha witnessed heated exchanges between Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Friday as tensions escalated over the drug menace and the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Punjab.
The confrontation erupted after Congress legislators demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, holding the AAP government accountable for its handling of drugs, gangsterism and public safety. Congress members entered the Well of the House, raising slogans, while members of the ruling party responded with counter-slogans. Cheema and Khaira were seen pointing fingers at each other amid the uproar.
Cheema accused Khaira of involvement in drug smuggling, while Khaira rejected the allegation and continued to press for greater accountability from the government over Punjab’s drug crisis. The heated exchanges further disrupted the proceedings and highlighted the growing confrontation between the ruling AAP and the opposition Congress.
Following the Congress walkout, Cheema moved a motion against Khaira, accusing him of using unparliamentary language against the Speaker, disregarding the Chair’s directions and disrupting the House. The Assembly passed the motion, suspending Khaira for the remainder of the ongoing session. Congress members were not present when the motion was passed. Khaira’s supporters described the action as excessive and argued that his objections reflected concerns being raised by many people over the state’s drug problem.
The confrontation has once again brought the focus on the functioning of the Punjab Assembly, where serious public concerns over drugs and law and order have become a source of intense political confrontation. The latest developments underline the need for meaningful debate, fair treatment of opposition voices and accountability on issues affecting the people of Punjab.