AAP demands apology from Congress MLA over alleged comments on women beneficiaries; Opposition hits back at CM Mann

Chandigarh: High drama unfolded in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday as a sharp confrontation between the treasury benches and the Congress erupted over remarks allegedly made by Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira regarding women beneficiaries.

The situation escalated during Zero Hour, forcing Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to adjourn the proceedings for 30 minutes amid persistent sloganeering and protests by legislators.

AAP Demands Apology, Action Against Khaira

Raising the issue, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused Khaira of making derogatory remarks about women beneficiaries and referring to them as “bonded labourers”.

Calling the comments unacceptable, Cheema demanded an unconditional apology from the Congress leader and urged the House to cancel Khaira’s membership as an MLA, alleging that his remarks insulted women across the state.

Khaira Denies Allegations

Responding to the controversy outside the Assembly, Khaira rejected the accusations and said the ruling party had misrepresented his remarks.

“I have never insulted any woman. I only shared a reel made by a Haryana-based YouTuber, Dhanoa. The spin doctors of AAP have twisted facts to write their own script against the Congress and me,” he told mediapersons.

Opposition Hits Back at CM Mann

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa countered the government’s allegations and demanded a condemnation resolution against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for what he termed disparaging remarks about women.

Bajwa alleged that the Chief Minister had used expressions such as “Patola”, “tuhadi bhabi” and “bharind”, which he described as inappropriate.

He also criticised the AAP government’s claims about improving public services, pointing out that ruling party leaders themselves relied on private healthcare and education facilities.

Centre Also Targeted Over Energy Crisis

Amid the political confrontation, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains accused the BJP-led Centre of keeping people in the dark about the ongoing energy crisis. They warned that the National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) unit in Nangal was on the verge of shutting down. AAP MLAs also raised slogans against the Centre, alleging that the media was not reporting accurate information on fuel and gas stocks.

Meanwhile, Food and Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak moved a condemnation resolution against the Centre over the recent hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices, accusing the Union government of burdening citizens with rising fuel costs. The developments turned the Assembly into a noisy battleground as both the ruling party and the Opposition traded accusations, disrupting proceedings during the ongoing Budget session.