Opposition demands probe and testing after allegations against Chief Minister spark heated exchanges
May 1, 2026: Tensions flared in the Punjab Assembly during a special Labour Day session after Opposition leaders accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of attending the House in an intoxicated state. The controversy began when a Congress MLA made the allegation, prompting Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa to demand that all MLAs undergo an alcohol test to establish the truth.
The Shiromani Akali Dal also criticised the chief minister, calling the alleged incident “shameful” and releasing videos from the Assembly. The party urged that Mann undergo a dope test in public, intensifying the political clash. The accusations triggered heated exchanges between the ruling party and Opposition members, disrupting the proceedings.
Responding to the uproar, Mann said the session was meant to honour workers on Labour Day and appealed to members to maintain decorum. The session was convened by the Aam Aadmi Party government to pay tribute to the working class, but political tensions dominated the day, especially amid recent developments involving party defections and criticism from Opposition leaders.