Chandigarh: A tense atmosphere prevailed in the Punjab Assembly during the special session on floods, with heavy exchanges between government and opposition members. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the session was meant to focus on planning for the future and addressing the suffering caused by the floods. However, he accused the Congress party of turning the grave issue into a political spectacle.
Bains highlighted the efforts of several leaders, singers, social workers, and religious figures who stepped in to help affected communities during the floods. “Difficult times reveal who truly stands with the people,” he remarked, pointing out that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was unwell, yet the Congress attempted to politicize his absence. He added, “Illness is beyond anyone’s control; anyone can fall sick.”
The minister also criticized the BJP, claiming it had not supported Punjab effectively during the crisis. Bains noted that the Chief Minister had been trying for the past ten days to secure a meeting with the Prime Minister, but no appointment had been granted, even though the Prime Minister recently visited Tamil Nadu. He warned that if political theatrics continue instead of constructive action, public funds would be wasted.
Bains recalled that Punjab has faced repeated setbacks, caused at times by outsiders, insiders, or natural calamities. From the 1947 Partition and the 1984 riots to the 1988 floods and recent natural disasters, the state has repeatedly endured immense challenges. Religious sites were attacked, acid was thrown on the city of Amritsar, and now, floods have left Punjab once again devastated. He said over five lakh acres of crops have been destroyed, stressing that the prosperity of Punjab is closely tied to its agriculture. “Homes that previously didn’t even allow a bit of mud inside are now buried under it,” Bains added.
