A Labour Day session of the Punjab Assembly turned chaotic on May 1, 2026, after opposition leaders accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of attending proceedings under the influence of alcohol. The allegations, made by Congress MLAs, led to massive disruptions, demands for an alcohol test inside the House, and a subsequent walkout by opposition members.
Opposition Demands Alcohol Test
The Congress party legislators raised the issue during the session, claiming that the Chief Minister appeared visibly intoxicated. They demanded that an alcohol test be conducted immediately within the Assembly premises to verify the allegations. The opposition argued that such behavior undermines the dignity of the House and sets a poor example for governance.
AAP Rejects Allegations as Baseless
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swiftly dismissed the accusations, calling them a politically motivated stunt. Party spokespersons stated that the Chief Minister was fully alert and actively participating in the proceedings. They accused the opposition of creating a ruckus to divert attention from pressing issues concerning the state.
The situation escalated when Congress MLAs staged a walkout, protesting the government's refusal to address their demand for an alcohol test. The Speaker of the Assembly attempted to restore order but faced continued interruptions from both sides.
Political Fallout and Reactions
The incident has triggered a full-blown political confrontation between the ruling AAP and the opposition Congress. Social media platforms were abuzz with reactions, with users sharing clips from the session. Some political analysts see this as an attempt by the opposition to embarrass the government ahead of upcoming local elections.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's office has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations. However, AAP leaders have threatened to take disciplinary action against the opposition for disrupting the House proceedings. The controversy is expected to dominate political discourse in the state for the coming days.
This is not the first time that allegations of intoxication have been leveled against political figures in India, but the demand for an on-the-spot alcohol test inside a legislative assembly is relatively rare. The incident raises questions about the conduct of elected representatives and the standards expected of them.
