Chandigarh: A heated political drama unfolded during the Punjab Assembly session as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a scathing attack on Leader of the Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa. The moment CM Mann began his address, the opposition benches, led by Congress MLAs, erupted in protest, setting the tone for a fiery day in the house.
The Chief Minister, known for his oratory and pointed remarks, didn’t hold back. Taking a sharp dig at Bajwa, Mann said, “Bajwa Sahab must have studied in an education system where Punjabi proverbs were not taught, that’s why he fails to understand them.” The remark, though couched in satire, was enough to ignite a strong reaction from the Congress side.
Mann further questioned Bajwa’s repeated attempts to link every debate with religion, saying, “Why do you try to associate every issue with religion? This house is not a platform for religious polarization, but for policy-making and governance.”
In a particularly stinging remark, CM Mann advised Bajwa to read more Punjabi literature before attending the Assembly. “You must first understand the soul of Punjabi. Just because you don’t get a proverb doesn’t mean we will rewrite our language,” Mann said, visibly irked by Bajwa’s earlier objections to a Punjabi saying used during a past session.
The Congress benches, already agitated, responded with loud protests, creating a chaotic scene. At one point, the ruckus intensified to such an extent that CM Mann quipped, “They are only doing this because Bajwa Sahab is in a hurry to walk out and show drama outside.”
Tensions escalated further when CM Mann hinted at taking disciplinary action. As the Chief Minister suggested the removal of Bajwa from the house due to continuous disruption, Bajwa reacted sharply. He objected vociferously, saying, “How can you throw us out by force? This is not your personal property!”
The House descended into pandemonium, with marshals on alert and Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan trying hard to maintain order. The session had to be adjourned temporarily due to the uproar.
Political Context and Deeper Rift
This altercation is the latest flashpoint in the ongoing verbal duels between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Congress opposition in Punjab. CM Mann and Bajwa have repeatedly clashed on various issues—from governance and law and order to language and identity politics.
In previous sessions, Bajwa has criticized the Mann government for what he termed as “language populism” and “symbolic politics”, accusing AAP of focusing on optics rather than policy. In contrast, Mann has often portrayed Bajwa as disconnected from ground realities and accused him of playing “religion and region-based politics.”
Today’s incident may appear to be centered around a proverb, but it underscores a deeper ideological divide—between AAP’s assertive, culturally-rooted posturing and the Congress’s traditional, often confrontational, approach to opposition.
AAP vs Congress: Assembly Dynamics
The Assembly session was expected to focus on several key issues, including development plans, pending schemes, and budget allocations. However, personal jibes and linguistic politics took center stage instead. AAP legislators backed Mann, thumping desks and demanding decorum from the Congress benches.
Congress MLAs, meanwhile, alleged that Mann was using the floor of the house to insult senior leaders and distract from real governance issues. “The CM must learn to take criticism. Every time we question him, he mocks our religion, our dialect, or our age,” said a senior Congress MLA after the session.
The war of words between CM Mann and Bajwa is not new, but today’s scenes suggest that the political atmosphere in Punjab is growing more polarized ahead of the upcoming bypolls and local elections.
Expert Take
Political analyst Dr. Harjinder Singh Gill remarked, “This is not just about parliamentary behavior or etiquette. It’s about cultural assertion and political messaging. CM Mann is sending a message that Punjabi language and pride are non-negotiable, while Bajwa is trying to check AAP’s populist edge by questioning its interpretation of culture.”
He added that the constant friction might help AAP rally its base, especially among youth and rural voters, while Congress will attempt to mobilize its cadre by portraying Mann as intolerant to dissent.
What’s Next?
With the session still underway and several key bills lined up for discussion, it remains to be seen whether the Mann government can refocus the agenda toward legislation. Meanwhile, both parties are expected to continue their verbal jousts—inside and outside the house.
The Speaker has called for an all-party meeting to ensure smooth functioning of the house in the coming days. However, given the current tempers, political observers expect more fireworks.
