New Delhi, May 1 (IANS) Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said on Friday that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has once again brought shame to democracy by allegedly attending a one-day Labour Day session in the state Assembly under the influence of alcohol.​

He further said that the way a “drunk” CM Mann staggered into the Assembly and spoke with slurred speech raises questions about the Speaker as well, for not stopping him.​

Sachdeva added that the manner in which Punjab Chief Minister Mann appeared in the Assembly, frustrated and allegedly intoxicated, indicates that he himself has lost confidence in the stability of the Punjab government.​

The Delhi BJP President also said that this is not the first time that Mann has allegedly entered a legislative body under the influence of alcohol.​

He had earlier, during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, reportedly attended the Lok Sabha allegedly under the influence of alcohol.​

“Today, by staggering into the House and speaking in such a condition, he has crossed all limits of propriety,” said Sachdeva.​

He said the people of Punjab, along with those of Delhi and the rest of the country, are shocked by this behaviour and want Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal to take immediate disciplinary action against Mann.​

Earlier, BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar said in Chandigarh that a breath alcohol analyser test should be conducted before any floor test in the Punjab Assembly, calling it his primary demand amid ongoing political tensions.​

The statement comes as the Special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha witnessed acrimonious scenes, with the Congress staging a walkout.​

The party alleged that Chief Minister Mann attended the House in an inebriated state and demanded that an alcohol test be conducted on all MLAs present.​

Speaking to IANS, Sunil Jakhar said, “Let the floor test happen later, but a breath analyser test should come first — that is my demand. Chief Minister, whether you conduct a floor test or not, or even a no-confidence motion, a breath analyser test of the leaders in the Punjab Assembly must definitely be conducted today.”​

He further alleged misconduct during the Cabinet meeting held earlier in the day.​

“In this morning’s Punjab Cabinet meeting, two ministers were insulted. The language used was highly inappropriate, and it is better not to repeat it. Not only the ministers, but even the Chief Secretary was not spared and was addressed in similarly offensive language,” Jakhar alleged.​

“If the government comes to the Assembly in such an intoxicated state, it is an insult to the institution. The Assembly is a temple of democracy,” Jakhar added.​

Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, also demanded a closed-door alcohol test on all MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha after allegations of Mann appearing drunk inside the House.​

The Congress alleged that questions had been raised about the conduct and physical condition of members during proceedings and insisted that medical verification was necessary to maintain transparency and accountability in the House.​

–IANS

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