Chandigarh: The Budget session of the Punjab Assembly, ongoing since March 6, turned contentious on Tuesday as tensions flared between the ruling AAP and the opposition Congress over Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira’s remarks on women beneficiaries under the ‘Mukh Mantri Manwab Dhiyan’ scheme.
During zero hour, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema criticised Congress, accusing its leaders of being anti-Dalit and anti-women and often using disrespectful language. In protest of Khaira’s comments, treasury bench MLAs, including Inderjit Kaur Mann, walked into the well of the House, forcing an earlier adjournment of the session for half an hour.
Congress Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa apologised for Khaira’s remarks, but AAP MLA Sarvjit Kaur Manuke moved a condemnation resolution against Khaira, supported by Cheema, citing his disrespectful language toward women. The resolution was passed by voice vote, with support from SAD MLA Manpreet Ayali and BSP MLA Nachhatar Pal.
While Congress MLAs, including Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Rana Gurjeet, argued that Khaira should be heard before the resolution was passed, AAP representatives maintained that clarification was unnecessary. MLA Amandeep Kaur and Mann echoed the sentiment that Khaira’s comments were unacceptable.
The debate also saw accusations of double standards, with SAD MLA Ganieve Kaur highlighting disrespect shown by AAP leaders toward women. AAP MLA Anmol Gagan Maan claimed the opposition’s criticism was fueled by frustration over the fulfillment of the ruling party’s poll promises.
Education Minister Harjot Bains condemned Khaira’s remarks as reflecting a feudal mindset and criticised him for standing by his comments on social media. Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary countered, urging the Assembly to give Khaira a chance to clarify his stance and referencing past incidents involving women teachers during the AAP government’s tenure.
The session underscored the sharp political divide in the Punjab Assembly, with AAP pushing a strict stance against perceived disrespect toward women and Dalits, while Congress called for procedural fairness in addressing controversial statements by its members.
