Chandigarh, March 27 — The Punjab Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution censuring Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa for his remarks against environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. The resolution drew support from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Manpreet Ayali and suspended Congress MLA Sandeep Jakhar.
The move came after two hours of intense debate, during which Treasury Benches, led by Education Minister Harjot Bains and MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann, condemned Bajwa’s comments made during Wednesday’s Vidhan Sabha proceedings. “Punjabis were hurt by Bajwa’s remarks against Seechewal,” Bains said.
MLA Inderjit Kaur demanded Bajwa’s expulsion, while Minister Aman Arora also criticized the opposition leader for his statements. The House was briefly adjourned for 15 minutes amid the heated exchanges.
Earlier, during Zero Hour, Congress MLAs staged a walkout, accusing the AAP government of preventing them from introducing a resolution seeking the Bharat Ratna for Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
Sloganeering erupted when Bajwa attempted to speak on Bhagat Singh, triggering sharp counterattacks from the Treasury Benches over his comments against Seechewal.
Bajwa alleged that the ruling party orchestrated the confrontation to stifle his voice.
As the session resumed after the adjournment, the Congress MLAs staged another walkout, protesting the Treasury’s continued targeting over the Seechewal issue. Bajwa was absent during the second walkout.
The House was adjourned again for 15 minutes as both sides traded accusations. Congress MLAs claimed the Treasury Benches were using the Seechewal controversy to deflect from passing the Bharat Ratna resolution for Bhagat Singh and preventing discussion on the Budget 2025-26.
