CLP Boycotts Vidhan Sabha Proceedings, Demands Apology from CM Mann

Congress Legislature Party has demanded Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s apology for his comments on Monday and said it will not take part in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha proceedings if Bhagwant Mann is present. CLP leader Partap Bajwa and Mann had a heated argument on Monday and Mann allegedly used unparliamentary language.

CLP has declared it will boycott the Vidhan Sabha proceedings till CM Bhagwant Mann apologizes for his unparliamentary language against CLP leader Partap Bajwa on Monday in the House. Mann was accused of “intimidating the Congress MLAs” for which he is being asked to apologize.

Bajwa said after Question Hour, “The CM did not express regret over using the unparliamentary language on Monday. We will attend the House on Tuesday till he is not there. When he arrives, we will walk out.” While in the House, Congress members initially did not seem in the mood to walk off but when Mann arrived, he taunted them and said, “You had declared you would walk out. Why did you not do so?”

Hearing this, the Congress members walked out. However, Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira remained, demanding to clarify the allegations regarding illegal land being grabbed in his native village leveled by Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal. Khaira also got into a verbal dispute with CM Mann and was told by speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan that he will get time to speak soon. As Khaira went back to his seat, the CM reportedly commented, “Tussi gaye nahin?” (You didn’t leave?).

As of now, it is unclear if CM Mann will apologize to the Congress MLAs or if a different solution will be looked at for this issue.

Vineet Washington