Punjab: Cong's Partap Bajwa Demands Alcometer, Dope Testing Of CM, All MLAs

Chandigarh : Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Friday wrote to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan seeking alcometer and dope testing of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and all the legislators. "I write on behalf of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) to draw your immediate attention to a matter of grave concern affecting the dignity and decorum of this august House," Bajwa, who is the Leader of the Opposition, wrote.

However, Speaker Sandhwan later rejected the demand of the Congress MLAs.

In his letter, Bajwa said that an incident that occurred on Friday during the ongoing special session of the Assembly, as raised by Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, which has brought forth serious concerns "regarding the conduct of the chief minister".

"The Hon'ble Chief Minister left the House without replying to allegations made by the member (Sukhpal Khaira). The nature of these concerns is deeply troubling and, if left unaddressed, risks undermining public trust in this esteemed institution," Bajwa wrote.

He said given the urgency and seriousness of the issue, it was imperative that corrective measures were taken without any delay. In this regard, the CLP leader along with all Congress party MLAs firmly demanded the immediate implementation of a uniform and transparent protocol, including immediate mandatory alcometer testing of all members present in the House, beginning with the chief minister, within an hour.

He also demanded comprehensive dope testing of all MLAs, across both treasury and opposition benches without exception.

"Deployment of an independent and credible medical team from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh to conduct these tests in a fair and impartial manner. This is not a matter directed at any individual but a necessary step to uphold accountability, transparency and the highest standards of conduct within the House," he wrote.

Bajwa wrote that he wished to state unequivocally that the Congress Legislative Party would not join the proceedings of the House "unless the chief minister clears himself of these serious allegations through the proposed testing process".

"The people of Punjab expect integrity from their elected representatives, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the sanctity of this House is preserved beyond any doubt. We, therefore, urge your good office to take immediate cognisance of this matter and act decisively," Bajwa said in the letter.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, while speaking to reporters outside the Assembly and replying to questions on opposition targeting Bhagwant Mann, said that the opposition Congress has levelled false and baseless allegation.

Hitting out at Khaira, Cheema said, "The MLA of the Congress who has levelled such allegation, a complaint was received against him a few days ago that he was unauthorisedly occupying a piece of land."

"After enquiry, it was found that he has kept huge chunk of land under unauthorised occupation. Now, when they stand exposed, they are levelling such an allegation to defame our chief minister under a conspiracy," Cheema said.

At a mock session of the Assembly near the Punjab BJP office, BJP leaders hit out at the chief minister, with state unit chief Sunil Jakhar alleging that he was unfit to be the chief minister of a state.

Earlier, during the proceedings of the House, heated exchanges took place between Chief Minister Mann and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira after the former claimed that the opposition legislator was using a mobile phone in the House.

Earlier this week, the state cabinet had summoned a special one-day session of the Punjab Assembly on the occasion of Labour Day on May 1.