Dramatic scenes unfolded in the Punjab Legislative Assembly on Friday after lawmakers from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and opposition Indian National Congress clashed over demands for an alcohol test on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Soon after the House resumed following the lunch break, Congress legislators entered the well of the House and demanded that Mann undergo a breath analyser test.

In response, AAP legislators raised slogans and strongly opposed the demand. As tensions escalated, the Speaker adjourned the House.

Speaker Rejects Demand

The Speaker also turned down the opposition’s request for an immediate dope test of Mann and all MLAs during the ongoing special session.

Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa had raised concerns regarding Mann’s conduct and submitted a letter to the Speaker.

Bajwa Raises Concerns in Letter

In his letter, Bajwa referred to an incident that took place during the Assembly session. Although he did not provide specific details, he described it as serious.

He wrote that the matter was “deeply troubling” and warned that if ignored, it could damage public trust in the institution.

“An incident that occurred today during the ongoing session, as raised by MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, has brought forth serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Hon’ble Chief Minister. The Hon’ble Chief Minister left the House without replying to allegations made by the Member,” Bajwa said in the letter.

He also called for urgent action and demanded a “comprehensive dope testing” of all MLAs “without exception.”

AAP Rejects the Allegations

The ruling AAP quickly dismissed the accusations and accused Congress of making baseless claims. Punjab AAP chief and cabinet minister Aman Arora criticised the opposition.

“The Congress has been making baseless and frivolous remarks, which is unfortunate and amounts to adding salt to the wounds of workers and undermining the dignity of the House."

AAP leaders said the opposition was trying to create unnecessary controversy during an important session.

BJP Also Joins the Demand

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party also supported calls for breath analyser and alcohol tests. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said all legislators should undergo testing.

"If the government comes to the Assembly in an inebriated state, I believe it's not only an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution, but also an insult to the temple of democracy," Jakhar said.

He further added, “The Punjab Assembly is considered the temple of democracy. If someone enters a temple or gurudwara under the influence of alcohol, it's contempt and disrespect. Whether CM Bhagwant Maan goes for a floor test today or not...I have one request - given the importance of today's special session, all leaders should definitely undergo a breath analyser test...If the breath analyser test of all leaders is done, then there will be no need for a floor test.”

BJP Criticises Government’s Session

BJP leader Vijay Sampla also attacked the state government.

"We are holding a people's assembly, whereas the state government is holding a session that they claim is dedicated to the labourers of the country. However, in the last four years, there have been no government schemes for them. This is a mockery...they are just doing a floor test, so that they can rest for six months, but that won't work...BJP's session will highlight the real issues that the government needs to work upon...."

He accused the government of avoiding real public issues.

AAP Hits Back at BJP

AAP leader Baltej Pannu strongly responded to the BJP’s criticism.

"BJP doesn't have MLAs, what will they do anyway inside the Assembly? So they have set up a fake one...Congress has nothing to do with labourers or Labour Day...Punjab is the safest state right now. What's happening in Manipur? What is the law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh?"

His remarks further intensified the political war of words.

Swati Maliwal Levels Sharp Allegations

Adding to the controversy, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal launched a strong attack on Mann. She accused him of appearing in the Assembly while intoxicated.

“This man goes to the Gurdwara Sahib after drinking, goes to the temple after drinking, used to come to the Lok Sabha after drinking, goes to government meetings after drinking, and drank so much abroad that he was deplaned,” Maliwal alleged.

Political Tensions Rise

Overall, the special session turned into a political battleground, with opposition parties intensifying pressure on the Punjab government. The incident has added fresh heat to Punjab’s political atmosphere and deepened tensions between AAP and opposition parties.