Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann moved a confidence motion in the state legislative assembly on Friday, May 1, 2026, during a high-stakes special session convened on International Labour Day. Addressing the House, the Chief Minister dismissed ongoing political speculation regarding the stability of his government, stating that a narrative was being intentionally manufactured to create confusion among the public. Mann remarked that “nowadays many rumours are going around” concerning the loyalty of his legislators, referring to the recent reports of Rajya Sabha members defecting to the opposition. He asserted that the mandate given by the people of Punjab remains secure and that the Aam Aadmi Party’s strength in the assembly is unshakable.
The move to seek a vote of confidence follows a week of political turbulence in the state, triggered by the crossing over of seven party MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party. The ruling administration has characterized these developments as a renewed attempt at “Operation Lotus,” an alleged strategy by the opposition to destabilize elected governments. By bringing the motion to the floor, Mann aimed to demonstrate the unified support of his 94 MLAs and put an end to claims of a potential split within the party ranks. The Chief Minister emphasized that his government is focused on governance rather than political maneuvering, though he deemed the floor test necessary to silence detractors.
The session, however, was marked by intense friction and chaotic scenes as the opposition benches, led by Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, questioned the necessity of the motion. The opposition accused the government of using special sessions for political theatrics rather than substantive legislative business. Tensions escalated further when opposition members staged a walkout following personal exchanges and allegations regarding the Chief Minister’s conduct. Despite the uproar, the treasury benches remained firm, with several ministers rising to support the motion and accusing the opposition of being complicit in attempts to undermine the democratic mandate.
In addition to the political showdown, the Chief Minister utilized the session to announce a 15% hike in the minimum wage for labourers, increasing the daily rate from ₹483 to ₹555.45. Mann framed the day as a tribute to the working class, inviting labour union representatives as special guests to the assembly. He maintained that while the opposition focuses on spreading “rumours,” his administration is busy delivering on its promises to the common man. The passage of the confidence motion is expected to provide the ruling party with a strategic breather as it prepares for the upcoming municipal elections and seeks to reinforce its organizational discipline.
