The first day of the six-day Punjab Vidhan Sabha session ended within just 10 minutes on Thursday, October 22, after Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan announced that the House would meet again on Friday. The Assembly paid tributes to several people who had died, but the non-official business scheduled after the obituary references was not taken up.
The House paid tributes to eight victims of a road accident in Sangrur, former minister Chuni Lal Bhagat, former MP Varinder Singh Bajwa, former MLA Ranjit Singh, eminent doctor Rattan Lal Mittal and the mother of MLA Manjit Singh Bilaspur.
The Congress sought to include anti-drug activist Bikramjit Singh of Batala and Gulzar Singh, who died by suicide in Dirba, in the obituary references. However, their request was not considered.
Outside the Assembly complex, Congress protested, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to control the drug trade and gangsterism. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa were among those present.
The Congress is expected to demand accountability from the government over the drug menace and the law and order situation. Bajwa has said the Opposition will press the government for answers and will not allow it to avoid the issue.
The killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota is also expected to be a major issue during the session. The Opposition has accused the government of failing to protect people campaigning against drugs and to dismantle illegal drug networks. The AAP government is expected to defend its anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashiyan Virudh', and highlight its action against narcotics.
Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar brought two women from Abohar to the Vidhan Sabha complex. Their family members had recently died allegedly due to drugs, and the women demanded justice and action against those involved in the illegal drug trade.
Chandigarh Police later rounded up the women and took them away.
Corruption allegations against the AAP government are also expected to feature in the Assembly proceedings, particularly in the wake of a CBI case involving government functionaries.
The government is set to move a resolution seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Another relief measure for women is also expected to be announced during the session.
Farmer-related issues are likely to feature prominently, with the government expected to bring resolutions concerning Punjab's rights over river waters and seeking the repeal of the Dam Safety Act.
The AAP is also expected to target previous Congress and Akali Dal-BJP governments over the drug trade. The ruling party may question the Centre's efforts to prevent narcotics trafficking through Gujarat's ports and across the International Border.
The six-day session is expected to see sharp exchanges between the ruling party and the Opposition over drugs, gangsterism, corruption, farmers' concerns and the government's handling of law and order.
