Congress to boycott Punjab Vidhan Sabha 'till CM Bhagwant Mann apologises': Partap Bajwa

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 7

The Congress Legislature Party has decided to boycott the proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha till CM Bhagwant Mann apologised for “intimidating the Congress MLAs”.

CLP leader Partap Bajwa said they would not participate in the House activities till Mann was present in the House.

He said the Congress would participate in the House proceedings only in the absence of the CM, till the time he apologised.

There were heated arguments between Mann and Bajwa in the House on Monday. 

Bajwa, who came to the House at the end of the Question Hour, said “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.”

Later, the Congress members walked out of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha as soon as Bhagwant Mann arrived there.

Though initially it appeared that the MLAs were in no mood to walk out, Mann taunted them, “You had declared you would walk out. Why did you not do so?”

As soon as they heard it, they walked out.

Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira remained in the House, demanding that he be allowed to clarify on the allegations levelled by Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal, of illegal land being grabbed in his native village.

Khaira came to the Well of the House to protest. He got into a verbal duel with CM Mann, but refused to be cowed down.

Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan intervened and said he would allow Khaira to speak in some time. Khaira went back and took his seat. The CM again taunted him, “Tussi gaye nahin?”