Mann slams Khaira over phone use, Oppn demands alcohol test on CM
However, the day quickly escalated into a major showdown between the Treasury and Opposition benches. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan eventually had to reject a written request by Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of Opposition from the Congress, for the conduct of “alco-meter and dope test” of all House members, including CM Mann. The Speaker said the dignity of the CM—a responsible and honourable individual—shouldn’t be questioned.
Later, CM Mann rubbished to the allegations, saying that the Opposition had no other issue to attack his government.
House ‘dignity’
Friday started out with the Labour resolution. However, even before the discussion could gain momentum, the tone of the House had already begun to shift.
As Speaker Sandhwan initiated the proceedings, Bajwa pointed out that this was the 8th special session convened and that earlier sessions had not led to any significant changes. He said questions and zero hours had also not been allowed during special sessions.
CM Mann responded, saying that the strict law for punishing those who committed sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib had been introduced in such a session. He said the next session could be longer, allowing the Opposition to highlight their questions.
After Bajwa emphasised his party’s support for the poor, noting that MNREGA was introduced by the Congress, CM Mann complimented Manmohan Singh for his contribution. “This is how we want all the sessions to be run: in a positive and dignified manner. We know that the Congress is with us in criticising how democracy is being murdered in this country,” he said.
The Speaker, at one point, told the Congress that it had eight minutes to speak based on its House strength. CM Mann, however, said it could take 20 minutes, underlining the significance of a good atmosphere in the assembly.
At another point, CM Mann, while speaking, objected to a Vidhan Sabha staff member walking in front of him. “This should not be allowed, Speaker saab. When a member is speaking, nobody should be crossing him—from the front. This is something which I have learnt in Parliament,” he said.
However, the dignity of the session came crashing down a few minutes later.
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The showdown
It started with CM Mann objecting to Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira tapping his mobile phone while the discussion on the labour resolution was underway. “Speaker saab, please ask the member what is being spoken in the assembly, because he is busy on his phone,” he said, asking Bajwa to request his MLAs to be more attentive.
Khaira responded by saying that he was seeing the contents of a bill that was to be introduced in the session on which he had to speak. A heated exchange followed. Taking a dig at Khaira, CM Mann said, “What bill is he talking about? Which bill is he paying? Our government is not charging any bills.”
As Opposition members stood up to support Khaira, MLAs in the Treasury Benches got up from their seats, too.
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said Khaira’s body language was offensive and that he was doing all of it to scuttle any fruitful discussion on the plight of the labour class, because he was against them. “He always behaves as if he were a king,” said Cheema.
CM Mann also objected to Khaira’s posture—sitting with one leg crossed over the other—arguing that such conduct was not even permitted in the Governor’s or visitors’ gallery, where visitors are specifically told not to sit crosslegged.
Khaira attacked the CM’s inconsistency, claiming his wife was seen in the visitors’ gallery, sitting with her legs crossed.
“She was told to correct her posture, but she is not a member and can make a mistake,” CM Mann said, adding, “You have even attacked my daughter.”
Khaira countered that all he said was that the CM’s daughter should be taught Punjabi, not just English.
“Don’t worry, I will teach her in a Punjabi school—English—you sit down,” CM Mann shouted back. He then asked the Speaker to ensure Khaira is treated with Vidhan Sabha funds, hinting that Khaira had lost his mind.
The Opposition erupted, accusing CM Mann of lowering the dignity of the House by introducing personal matters into a legislative debate. At this point, the Speaker adjourned the House for a brief period.
When the House reassembled and the discussion on the labour resolution resumed, Khaira attacked CM Mann, just as he was preparing to leave. Khaira demanded an alcohol test, alleging that the chief minister appeared to be under the influence during the proceedings.
The allegation stunned the House. Treasury benches reacted immediately, rising in protest.
Bajwa backed Khaira’s demand, calling it a serious allegation that warranted verification. He went further, suggesting that all members should undergo alcohol and dope tests to ensure transparency and uphold institutional credibility.
It is deeply shameful if the Hon’ble CM has indeed entered this august House in a drunken state, as alleged by fellow MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira. Such conduct strikes at the very dignity of the Vidhan Sabha. I reiterate my demand for an immediate alco-meter test to uphold… pic.twitter.com/d6vDRVX9WA
— Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) May 1, 2026
The political fallout was immediate. A video of the CM shouting at Khaira in the assembly in a seemingly slurred tone went viral on social media.
Bajwa formally wrote to the Speaker, demanding that medical tests be conducted on CM Mann and other members. Meanwhile, Sukhbir Singh Badal amplified these charges on social media.
In a written request to the speaker, Bajwa recommended that a team of doctors, along with the PGI, should be called into the assembly to conduct tests. The Congress assembly members, he added, would not attend proceedings till the CM was cleared. “The people of Punjab expect integrity from their elected representatives, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the sanctity of the house is preserved without any doubt,” Bajwa wrote.
The Speaker denied the Opposition’s requests for alcohol testing, leading to a walkout by the Opposition members.
During a parallel “mock assembly” session by the BJP in Chandigarh, Sunil Jakhar also raised concerns. Jakhar not only supported the call for medical testing but also introduced another charge: earlier in the day, CM Mann allegedly shouted at two ministers and the state’s chief secretary at a Cabinet meeting. The charge added to the perceptions created by the ruling establishment’s frayed tempers Friday.
Later, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal demanded Mann’s resignation on X. “Mann has lost all moral authority to hold office. He must resign, immediately,” Badal said.
Confidence motion
In the House, the rest of the day’s proceedings were conducted in the Opposition’s absence.
While discussing the labour resolution, CM Mann said the labour department had funds, but a majority of labourers were not registered and could not enjoy the benefits of those funds.
He announced a 15 percent increase in the minimum wages extending the benefit to all registered workers in both government and private sectors. Mann termed it a tribute to the working class.
The House also passed a resolution thanking all those who played a role in bringing about the amendment to the Jaagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, which will provide for harsher punishments to those responsible for the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib.
The government, in the absence of the Opposition, brought about a confidence motion amid allegations that over three dozen Aam Aadmi Party MLAs were seeking an opportunity to leave and join other parties. The motion came on the heels of Punjab’s six Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, leaving the AAP to join the BJP last week.
The motion aimed to showcase the AAP MLAs’ loyalty, ahead of CM Mann’s meeting with the President of India on 5 May. “Please give me a copy of the passing of this motion so that I can hand it over to the President,” the chief minister said in his concluding remarks.
During the proceedings, a total of 88 AAP MLAs were present in the House. Meanwhile, two AAP MLAs were abroad and two were in jail. In addition, two MLAs were in hospitals.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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