Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann faces opposition criticism over intoxication allegations in Assembly

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is facing criticism from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress over allegations that he appeared intoxicated in the Assembly. Opposition leaders described the alleged incident as “shameful” and “disgraceful” and said it raises serious questions about his conduct and the governance of the state.

The controversy intensified even as Mann secured a confidence motion in the House with unanimous support.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticized the alleged incident, saying, “I am surprised that a person who has taken the oath of the Constitution, is holding such a position, and speaking in the premises of the Assembly, is struggling under the influence of alcohol.”

He added, “Both the Assembly and Parliament are temples of democracy. If Bhagwant Mann is doing such a practice in that temple, then it is very shameful.” Sachdeva also targeted Mann’s earlier claims about tackling substance abuse in Punjab, saying, “This is the same Chief Minister who claims to make Punjab free of intoxication; rather he has pushed all the youth of the state into intoxication.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also criticized Mann, calling the situation “disgraceful”. She said, “Shame on you, it’s disgraceful. In the temple of democracy, no state head should show up in an inebriated state and bring shame to the entire state.”

She added, “How can a person who lives in a drunken stupor save the people of his state from addiction? Punjab is India’s border state, and it’s in such hands?”

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal also commented on the issue, alleging online, “Today, once again, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has arrived at the temple of democracy… completely intoxicated with alcohol.”

She further claimed, “The CM of a sensitive border state like Punjab stays intoxicated all the time… signs files while under the influence. What shamelessness.” Maliwal demanded that Mann “should undergo an alcohol test, and if found guilty, he should be removed from the CM position.”

Leaders from the Indian National Congress also raised concerns. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that if the Chief Minister does not follow Assembly rules, it raises serious questions.

“If the Opposition has raised a point and if there is no such thing, then the Chief Minister should prove it. Due to such acts, the image of Punjab and its people is being tarnished,” he said.

Warring also said the ruling AAP government was under pressure, claiming, “They are in a very delicate situation. They are not even trusting their own MLAs.”

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa described the matter as unprecedented. “This is the first time in 75 years after Independence that such a serious charge has been levelled against the Chief Minister… and he was not ready to accept it,” he said.

He added that the Chief Minister had an opportunity to clarify his position but did not do so, which, according to him, strengthened the Opposition’s claims.

Despite Mann’s confidence motion victory in the Assembly, the controversy continues to dominate political discussion in Punjab, with opposition parties pressing for answers and accountability.