Chandigarh, May 1, 2026: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha witnessed chaotic scenes on Friday during a special one-day session convened to mark International Labour Day, as opposition parties accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of appearing in an inebriated state and demanded immediate alcohol and dope tests for him and all legislators.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa of the Congress strongly raised the issue inside the House. He described the situation as “deeply troubling” and urged Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to order a closed-door alco-meter (breath analyser) test and comprehensive dope testing for Chief Minister Mann and every MLA present. Bajwa later submitted a formal letter to the Speaker on behalf of the Congress Legislative Party, calling for the tests to be conducted within one hour to uphold the dignity of the House.
Congress MLAs, including Sukhpal Singh Khaira, staged a walkout in protest amid heated exchanges. Members from both sides stormed the well of the House, leading to adjournment of proceedings after the lunch break. The Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP extended support to the demand, terming the alleged conduct an insult to the “temple of democracy.”
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal amplified the controversy on social media by sharing a video clip of Mann addressing the assembly. She alleged that the Chief Minister had arrived “under the influence of alcohol” and listed past instances, including visits to gurdwaras and temples, Lok Sabha sessions, government meetings, and an incident where he was reportedly deboarded from a flight abroad. Maliwal demanded that Mann undergo an alcohol test and be removed from office if found guilty.
The Speaker rejected the opposition’s call for immediate testing. No tests were conducted during the session.
This is not the first time Bhagwant Mann has faced such allegations. Over the years, he has been accused multiple times of appearing intoxicated in public forums, including during his time as an MP. The Aam Aadmi Party has consistently dismissed these claims as politically motivated.
The episode has once again spotlighted concerns over decorum in the state legislature, with the opposition questioning the purpose of holding sessions if the head of government is allegedly not in a fit state. As of now, there has been no detailed response from the Chief Minister or the AAP government on the fresh allegations.
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