Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The opening day of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Monsoon Session witnessed high political drama on Monday as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition Congress legislators clashed over an alleged pharmacy examination paper leak. The stormy confrontation triggered intense slogan-shouting inside the House, culminating in a protest walkout by opposition members.
The controversy erupted during Question Hour when Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa raised the issue and demanded the immediate resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. Drawing parallels to national controversies surrounding competitive entrance exams, Bajwa alleged that multiple examination paper leak incidents had taken place under the current AAP administration. He questioned whether the state minister would accept responsibility and step down from his post.
Dressed in white attire with black scarves around their necks, protesting Congress legislators entered the well of the House to register their disapproval. The commotion disrupted the proceedings, forcing the Speaker to briefly adjourn the House. In response to the charges, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains maintained that he was fully prepared to debate the matter with official documents, accusing the opposition of fleeing the legislative chamber rather than engaging in a constructive discussion.
Treasury benches defended the administration, with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asserting that the state government had awarded nearly 70,000 public jobs strictly on merit. He rejected the paper leak claims and criticized the opposition for disrupting legislative proceedings intended to address critical public matters. Despite appeals from the Speaker to restore order for Question Hour, opposition lawmakers continued their demonstration before exiting the Assembly chamber.
