Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s three-day monsoon session, which kicks off on Monday, is shaping up to be a heated arena of political confrontation. With the opposition parties sharpening their knives, the AAP-led State Government is bracing for an onslaught of criticism over a range of issues that have left the State simmering with discontent. Among the hot topics slated for debate are the worsening law and order situation, and the ballooning state debt — both of which have been fuel for growing public concern.
The session, brief but expected to be intense, likely to put the ruling government on the defensive as opposition leaders gear up to demand accountability for what they see as a slew of broken promises and administrative failures. Moreover, the brevity of the session has already sparked controversy, with opposition leaders accusing the government of stifling meaningful discussion.
The three-day session, which will run from September 2 to 4, will begin with customary obituary references, but this somber start is expected to quickly give way to fierce debates. The opposition, particularly leaders from the Congress and BJP, are prepared to spotlight what they argue are the government’s glaring shortcomings, from the rise in crime to unfulfilled pre-poll promises that were central to the AAP’s electoral success.
As the political temperature rises, the session is likely to be a crucible for the AAP government, ahead of impending byelections to five assembly segments and ensuing local body polls, testing its ability to defend its record in the face of mounting criticism.
Congress leader and Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chaudhary has signaled that her party will prioritize discussions on the declining law and order situation in the state. “Deteriorating law and order is one of the biggest issues. Every day, incidents of snatching, theft, and extortion are taking place, making life difficult for ordinary citizens,” Chaudhary asserted.
She also criticized the government for failing to deliver on its promise to provide Rs 1,000 per month to every woman in the State. “The AAP Government deceived the women of Punjab,” she lamented, pointing to the growing discontent among the state's female population.
The state’s rising debt is another key issue that the opposition intends to bring to the fore. Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli has expressed concerns over the AAP government’s inability to fulfill its pledge to establish 18 new colleges in Punjab. “Two and a half years have passed since the AAP came to power, and they have not even procured land for a single college,” Kotli noted, highlighting the widening gap between the government's promises and actions.
Kotli also called for the extension of the session’s duration, criticizing the three-day schedule as insufficient for addressing the myriad of pressing issues facing the state. “When AAP was in opposition, they demanded longer sessions to discuss public concerns. Now that they are in power, they seem content with short sessions that barely allow for any substantive debate,” he remarked.
BJP MLA Jangi Lal Mahajan has vowed to raise the issue of illegal sand mining, which has been a persistent problem in the State. Mahajan contended that the government’s lax enforcement has allowed illegal operations to flourish, resulting in significant environmental damage and loss of revenue for the state.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira took to social media to voice his discontent with the limited duration of the session. “The @BhagwantMann government has ruined the importance of the Vidhan Sabha, the most crucial pillar of democracy, by curtailing its sittings to almost negligible, leaving no scope for any meaningful debate!” Khaira tweeted, underscoring the frustration among opposition members.
Despite the barrage of criticism, the AAP Government maintained that it is committed to addressing the state’s challenges. Senior AAP leaders have hinted that the session will include discussions on several key policy initiatives, though specifics have not been disclosed.
The Government’s spokespersons have also defended the short duration of the session, citing the need to balance legislative duties with administrative responsibilities. However, this explanation has done little to quell the opposition’s concerns.
House to pay tributes to Dr Patar today
The session will begin with tributes to prominent figures who have recently passed away, including a notable Punjabi poet-writer Dr Surjit Singh Patar, former Speaker Surjit Singh Minhas, former Minister Surjit Singh Kohli, former MPs Kamal Chaudhary and Gurcharan Kaur.
While these tributes are a customary part of the assembly’s proceedings, opposition leaders argue that dedicating the first day solely to obituary references diminishes the time available for substantive debate on pressing issues.
