Chandigarh: Congress MLAs boycotted the concluding sitting of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session on Tuesday over the alleged denial of entry to party colleague Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who was suspended on Friday for the remainder of the ongoing session. The Tribune's live coverage of the session and ANI both reported the boycott on the final day.

Source: ANI via LatestLY

According to ANI, Congress leaders including Khaira, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Pargat Singh were reportedly not allowed to enter the Assembly premises, and an altercation broke out between AAP MLA Jasvir Singh Raja Gill and senior Congress leaders including Bajwa during a media address by Punjab Minister Balbir Singh. Dr Balbir Singh alleged, according to ANI, that Congress legislators were engaging in political disruption by refusing to let the minister speak to the press. Those entry and altercation details are reported by ANI; the Congress allegation of an entry blockade has not been accepted by the Speaker's office in the reports reviewed.

Source: ANI via LatestLY

Bajwa raises issue in House, Speaker clarifies

As Question Hour began, Bajwa raised the issue in the House. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan clarified that no MLA could be stopped from entering the House except those currently under suspension, both ANI and The Tribune's live coverage reported. The Tribune reported that Bajwa, dissatisfied with the response, walked out. Bajwa alleged, speaking to ANI, that the notice served to block entry did not carry the Speaker's signature, and said it had never happened in Punjab's history that an elected representative was denied entry to the Vidhan Sabha.

Source: The Tribune live via DirectHeadlines

Earlier on Tuesday, Congress MLAs wearing black robes and holding placards burnt a broom, the election symbol of the ruling AAP, outside the Vidhan Sabha and raised slogans against the government, both sources reported. ANI also reported that Congress MLAs had demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, storming the well of the House. Khaira's suspension on Friday followed a motion moved by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who accused him of using unparliamentary language against the Chair and disrupting proceedings, according to ANI.

Source: ANI via LatestLY