Congress MLAs raised slogans against the AAP government and walked out of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday during the Governor’s address at the start of the budget session.
As soon as the Governor began his speech, Congress MLAs led by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa started shouting slogans against the AAP government. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria asked Bajwa to raise the issues at the appropriate time. Bajwa responded that he should be allowed to speak as people of the state needed to hear the issues related to their welfare.
Meanwhile, in an unusual development, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and cabinet minister Aman Arora stepped out of the House while the Governor’s address was still going on. They held an impromptu press conference outside the Assembly and targeted the Congress. Later, cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and AAP chief spokesperson and Ajnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal also joined them.
The ministers criticised the Congress for what they called its “anti-Dalit policies” and also referred to the remarks made by Partap Singh Bajwa against Harbhajan Singh ETO. “Congress cannot tolerate the welfare policies of the AAP government being announced by the Governor in his speech and hence has walked out,” said Cheema.
Speaking to reporters outside the House, Bajwa said it was surprising that AAP ministers also stepped out during the Governor’s speech to hold a press conference. He said it was unusual for the government to boycott the Governor’s address along with the Opposition. “We have never seen the government doing a boycott of the Governor’s speech along with the Opposition. Inside the House, the Governor is making a speech while outside, Aman Arora is making a speech,” Bajwa said.
Also read: Harbhajan Singh slams Bajwa’s ‘band player’ remark
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