Bhagwant Mann Faces Alcohol Test Demands in Punjab Assembly

The Punjab Assembly session erupted into chaos on May 1, 2026 as opposition members demanded an alcohol test for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The call for the test followed heated confrontations during a special Labour Day session.

Opposition MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, supported the demand for an alcohol meter test for all legislators. The request came after Mann objected to Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira using a mobile phone during proceedings. In response to the turmoil, Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan rejected the demand for an immediate alcohol test.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government used this session to move a confidence motion, which passed unanimously despite the uproar. However, the atmosphere remained tense as the Congress staged a walkout amid the chaos. Subsequently, MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal also left the Assembly.

BJP leader Sunil Jakhar called for breath analyser tests for all legislators present. He stated, “If someone enters a temple or gurudwara under the influence of alcohol, it’s contempt and disrespect.” Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused Mann of appearing in the assembly ‘drunk’.

This session was convened to honor workers on Labour Day. It featured heated exchanges between AAP and Congress MLAs. Aman Arora of AAP criticized Congress remarks as baseless and detrimental to public trust in the institution.

The Speaker’s rejection of the alcohol test demand added to the controversy surrounding Mann’s leadership. The ongoing political tensions in Punjab have raised questions about public trust in elected officials.