The ongoing Budget Session of the Punjab Assembly witnessed heated exchanges between ruling AAP and opposition legislators on Wednesday over Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s alleged offensive comments about women. Tense scenes were witnessed in the House after Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema raised the issue of Khaira’s alleged remarks.
As the uproar continued in the Assembly, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan adjourned the House for 20 minutes. Khaira had faced sharp criticism from AAP MLAs for remarks he allegedly made on social media on Tuesday about women celebrating the ‘Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojna’, under which the state government plans to provide Rs 1,000 per month to eligible beneficiaries.
The Assembly had also passed a resolution on Tuesday criticising Khaira for the alleged comments. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema raised the issue again in the House on Wednesday.
The AAP minister sought strict action against the Bholath MLA for using what he called unparliamentary language. He also sought an unconditional apology from Khaira and cancellation of his Assembly membership. Following this, Cheema and Khaira engaged in a verbal exchange in the House.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa then attempted to bring a resolution against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for an alleged remark he made about women on International Women’s Day. However, the speaker refused to admit the resolution and accused Congress MLAs of trying to divert attention from Khaira’s comments.
AAP MLAs, including several women legislators, went to the Well of the House and demanded action against Khaira. As the situation became tense, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for 20 minutes.
When the House resumed, Bajwa requested Speaker Sandhwan to allow Khaira to present his side. However, the Speaker insisted that Khaira should first apologise before being allowed to speak. AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann demanded that Khaira be expelled from the House.
Another round of heated arguments broke out between Khaira and AAP ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora, leading to chaotic scenes in the Assembly. AAP MLAs again rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans against Khaira.
Congress legislators, headed by Bajwa, also moved to the Well and protested against Khaira not being allowed to speak. They later staged a walkout from the House.
Also read: Congress walks out, alleges AAP twisting facts in Khaira issue
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