Punjab Chief Minister on Friday moved a confidence motion in the state Vidha sabha, seeking to reaffirm the mandate of his government.The motion was seconded by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.Notably, the motion was presented in the absence of legislators from major opposition parties, including the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal. On the opposition benches, only BSP MLA Nachattar Pal and Independent MLA Rana Inder Pratap were present during the proceedings.According to Assembly records, All 94 MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, including the Deputy Speaker, were present in the House at the time the motion was introduced. The Speaker is not counted among the voting members.The development comes amid ongoing political exchanges in the Assembly, with the treasury benches asserting their majority while the absence of key opposition members drew attention during the crucial proceedings.Further discussion and voting on the motion are expected in the House.Heated exchanges over sacrilege cases, house proceedingsMay 1, 2026 4:12 pmProceedings in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha witnessed sharp exchanges as leaders across the political spectrum raised demands for action in past sacrilege cases and called for extended discussion in the House. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said the government should take strict action against those involved in the 2015 sacrilege incidents, stressing the need for accountability. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema expanded the scope of the debate, stating that those responsible for the 1986 Nakodar sacrilege incidents should also be booked. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann added that if past incidents are to be revisited, then events of 1984 should also be investigated. He referred to the military operation at Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star, questioning whether religious protocols were followed at the time. Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal urged that more time be allocated to discuss such sensitive issues, suggesting that the current House session be extended to allow detailed deliberation. Meanwhile, AAP MLA Budh Ram targeted opposition parties, alleging that during the 2012–2017 SAD-BJP government, Congress legislators had staged a protest inside the Assembly premises and spent the night there consuming alcohol. He argued that those involved had no moral authority to demand alcohol testing of current members.Four-day shukrana yatraMay 1, 2026 3:51 pmBhagwant Mann says that he is starting four-day shukrana yatra from May 6-9, to thank God for allowing his government to pass the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Amendment) Act, 202615% wage hike announcedMay 1, 2026 3:41 pmPunjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that minimum wages for labourers in the state had not been increased since 2013, spanning previous governments led by Congress and the Akali-BJP alliance. Addressing the issue, the Chief Minister also remarked on the law and order situation, noting that despite the presence of multiple senior police officials, including 16 Directors General of Police (DGPs) and a similar number of Additional DGPs, concerns still persist. The Chief Minister announced a 15% increase in minimum wages, describing it as a long-pending revision. Previous daily wage: ₹483 and Revised daily wage: ₹555.45 He emphasized that the increase comes after a gap of around 13 years and covers periods under successive previous governments.‘Symbolic protest’ with a lockMay 1, 2026 3:25 pmEven after the Speaker adjourned the House following intense protests inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, tensions did not immediately settle on the floor of the Assembly. While Congress MLAs began leaving the House after adjournment, AAP MLAs reportedly continued their protest inside the Assembly premises. Several ruling party legislators gathered around Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, continuing slogans and demonstrations. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira was seen holding up a lock during the protest, symbolically suggesting that the Vidhan Sabha should be “locked” in response to the ongoing political confrontation over demands for alcohol-meter and dope tests of the Chief Minister and MLAs.House adjourned for 10 minutesMay 1, 2026 3:22 pmThe Speaker repeatedly asked all members to return to their seats, reminding them that the proceedings were being broadcast live. However, the appeals were ignored as slogans continued from both sides. With the situation remaining out of control and both sides continuing protests, the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes.Protests erupt in the HouseMay 1, 2026 3:22 pmFollowing the rejection: Congress MLAs moved into the well of the House in protest. AAP MLAs also entered the well and raised counter-slogans against the Congress. Both sides engaged in loud sloganeering, leading to a highly charged atmosphere. At one point, ruling and opposition members reportedly came face-to-face in the well of the House, creating an unprecedented confrontation inside the Assembly.Speaker rejects demandMay 1, 2026 3:21 pmThe Speaker rejected the Opposition’s demand for alcohol and drug testing of the Chief Minister and legislators, stating that members should avoid making personal remarks against the Leader of the House.Punjab Vidhan Sabha sees high drama during resumed session after lunchMay 1, 2026 3:20 pmAs the Punjab Vidhan Sabha resumed after lunch, tensions escalated sharply between the Congress and AAP benches over demands related to the Chief Minister’s conduct. Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa raised a point of order in the House, seeking a response from the Speaker on the Opposition’s demand for alcohol-meter and dope tests for the Chief Minister and all MLAs. He criticised the Chief Minister, stating that Bhagwant Mann is “unfit to be the Chief Minister of Punjab” and urged the AAP national leadership to reconsider his continuation in office. He also referred to dissatisfaction within the cabinet and alleged internal reprimands by the Chief Minister.Darkest hours of democracy’May 1, 2026 3:15 pmSandeep Jakhar reportedly raised concerns in the Vidhan Sabha, saying he had met the Irrigation Minister and informed him that water quality test samples had been failing since around March 30. He claimed the water was not fit for human or even animal consumption, and suggested that the minister was not fully aware of the situation on the ground. He also made a more provocative remark suggesting “narco tests” for legislators and transparency about financial details of MLAs, which appears to be a political statement highlighting allegations of mistrust or corruption concerns. Separately, Jattvibeil Jakhar is reported to have criticised what he called a “mockery” of the assembly proceedings. He allegedly referenced an incident involving the Chief Minister walking out when asked about a breath analyser test, framing it as inappropriate conduct. He also commented that Punjab is going through “darkest hours of democracy,” and criticised what he described as unnecessary interference from the “Delhi lobby” in Punjab politics.Demand for dope testMay 1, 2026 1:50 pmAlcohol allegations on Mann false: CheemaMay 1, 2026 1:44 pmPunjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, while speaking to mediapersons, said that the Congress party’s allegations that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann consumes alcohol was totally false. “A few days ago, a complaint was filed against him (Khaira) and a report subsequently surfaced—accusing him of illegally encroaching upon Panchayat land,” he said.Cong protestsMay 1, 2026 1:26 pmPunjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring led a protest as they were going to gherao the Punjab Vidhan Sabha near Punjab Bhawan demanding Wage Hikes of the labour in Chandigarh. Image credit/ Ravi KumarJattvibeil Jakhar raises sharp criticism over whipMay 1, 2026 1:08 pmPunjab BJP president Jattvibeil Jakhar has strongly criticised the ruling Aam Aadmi Party for issuing a whip to its MLAs during the ongoing Punjab Vidhan Sabha special session, alleging that the move reflects internal insecurity within the party. Jakhar claimed that the whip was issued because the ruling leadership fears the possibility of MLAs expressing dissent or considering defection. He further said that even Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is “not secure” politically, suggesting growing instability within the government. He also accused the AAP government of failing to deliver on key electoral promises, including the assurance of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, stating that such commitments have not been fulfilled and that people’s trust in the government has weakened. On broader governance issues, Jakhar alleged that Punjab’s law-and-order situation has deteriorated and claimed that social harmony in the state is under strain. He further accused the government of being influenced by outsiders, referring to AAP leadership and mentioning Arvind Kejriwal in this context, saying decision-making is not fully in the hands of local leadership. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions in the Assembly, where debates over a confidence motion and opposition protests have intensified the confrontation between ruling and opposition partiesAssembly witnesses uproar as Congress demands breath, dope tests for MLAsMay 1, 2026 1:02 pmThe session turned increasingly chaotic after Congress MLAs staged a walkout amid heated exchanges over conduct inside the House. Led by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, the party intensified its protest, demanding that all members of the Assembly undergo breath analyzer and dope tests conducted by doctors from PGIMER. The Congress alleged that questions had been raised about the conduct and physical condition of members during proceedings and insisted that medical verification was necessary to maintain transparency and accountability in the House. Following the walkout, several Congress MLAs reportedly entered the Speaker’s office, pressing their demand for an “alcometer” test of all legislators, further escalating tensions inside the Assembly complex. The move triggered sharp reactions from the treasury benches, which accused the opposition of disrupting proceedings and lowering the dignity of the House. The confrontation comes amid already heightened political friction during the special session, where debates over a confidence motion and governance issues have repeatedly led to verbal clashes between ruling and opposition parties. The Speaker and Assembly officials intervened to manage the situation and prevent further escalation as the House continued to remain divided on procedural and political grounds.High drama as CM, opposition clash during debateMay 1, 2026 12:36 pmTensions escalated in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the special session when Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann briefly stood up to leave the House while an important debate was underway. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira objected, pointing out that the Chief Minister was walking out during a crucial discussion. In response, CM Mann turned back, returned to his seat, and engaged in a sharp exchange with Khaira on the floor of the House. The confrontation quickly drew in members of the treasury benches, who gathered in support of the Chief Minister, further raising the temperature inside the Assembly. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa intervened, stating that a serious allegation had been made against the Leader of the House and demanded that it be addressed formally. In a pointed remark, he even suggested conducting an “alcoholmeter test” to verify the claim, triggering further uproar. The Speaker intervened to restore order as both sides continued to exchange heated remarks, highlighting the charged political atmosphere in the House during the ongoing session.Treasury moves resolution on minimum wage hikeMay 1, 2026 12:06 pmDuring the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha held on Kirti Divas (Workers’ Day), the treasury bench introduced a key resolution seeking an increase in the daily minimum wages of the working class in the state. The resolution highlights the importance of labour in nation-building, stating that workers are central to the development of society and that every major project is completed through their “sweat and sacrifice.” It also recalls the historic significance of May Day, linked to the 1886 Haymarket movement in Chicago, where workers demanded an eight-hour workday and sacrificed their lives for labour rights. Referring to Punjab’s cultural ethos, the resolution cites the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, particularly the principle of “Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, Vand Chhako,” emphasising dignity of labour. The document notes that minimum wages in Punjab were last revised in 2012, and despite increases in dearness allowance, the base wage has remained unchanged since then. It urges the government to formally revise wages to recognise workers’ contributions and improve their living conditions. The resolution is seen as both symbolic and politically significant, aligning with the Labour Day theme while placing pressure on the government to act on long-standing wage concerns.House witnesses heated exchangeMay 1, 2026 12:04 pmTension escalates after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann objects to Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira allegedly using his phone during debate. Proceedings turn noisy as treasury and opposition benches clash verbally.Parallel BJP ‘People’s Assembly’ underwayMay 1, 2026 12:04 pmBJP leaders, including Jattvibeil Jakhar and Ashwani Sharma hold a parallel “People’s Assembly” near the party office. The symbolic session mirrors Assembly proceedings and highlights deepening political divide in Punjab as confidence motion debate continues inside Vidhan Sabha.Political tensions rise over confidence motionMay 1, 2026 12:04 pmThe ruling party signals intent to move a confidence motion, seen as a response to recent political developments and claims of dissent within AAP ranks. Opposition questions timing and necessity, alleging political strategy behind the move.Attendance and whip complianceMay 1, 2026 12:04 pmAAP issues whip through Chief Whip Baljinder Kaur, making attendance mandatory for all 94 MLAs. However, only 67 AAP MLAs are present. BJP MLAs are absent from the proceedings, signalling boycott of the session.Session begins with tributesMay 1, 2026 12:04 pmPunjab Vidhan Sabha’s special session opens on International Labour Day. The House pays homage to freedom fighter Chaman Lal, hockey legend Gurbaksh Singh, and photojournalist Raghu Rai. Labour union representatives are present in the gallery as invited guests.