A session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha convened to clear a 15% increase in minimum wages — the first revision in over a decade — descended into chaos after Opposition parties accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of appearing intoxicated in the House.

Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called for immediate alcohol and drug screening of the Chief Minister as well as all legislators, insisting the tests be conducted behind closed doors. Members of the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal pressed for action, alleging inappropriate conduct during proceedings.

Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan dismissed the demand, refusing to allow such testing on the Assembly floor. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

Amid the escalating confrontation, Congress members staged a walkout in protest.

Later, speaking outside the House, Mann ridiculed the Opposition’s claims, suggesting they were attempting to distract from his government’s recently secured unanimous confidence motion. Supporters of the Chief Minister circulated complete footage from the session, asserting that he appeared active and engaged, countering claims of impairment.

The controversy has further intensified political friction in Punjab, even as the government highlighted the wage revision as a significant relief measure for workers after 13 years without an increase.