Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday called the Congress a ‘Chitta party’ during a heated exchange with Congress MLA Pragat Singh in the Punjab Assembly, accusing the opposition party of failing to address Punjab’s drug problem. Cheema also raised the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The exchange took place during Question Hour as the Assembly session continued amid protests and arguments between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress members.
According to the proceedings, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan appealed to members to maintain order and focus on questions instead of sloganeering. During the heated discussion, Cheema targeted Pragat Singh over the drug menace in Punjab and referred to him as a member of the ‘Chitta party’. Chitta is a commonly used term for heroin in Punjab.
Cheema also criticised political leaders for making promises at religious places without delivering results. He linked the Congress to the state’s drug problem and brought up the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The remarks came amid continued political sparring over the drug crisis in Punjab, with opposition parties and the ruling AAP government trading allegations over their handling of the issue.
The Assembly also witnessed noisy scenes after Congress MLAs demanded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. Congress members entered the Well of the House and raised slogans against the AAP government.
During the commotion, Cheema and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira were seen pointing fingers at each other. Congress MLAs later staged a walkout.
Separately, Cheema moved a privilege motion against Khaira, accusing him of using unparliamentary language against the Chair and deliberately disrupting the proceedings. He sought Khaira’s suspension for the remaining sittings of the ongoing session.
Cheema also argued that Khaira’s remarks were derogatory towards labourers and members of the Scheduled Caste community. He called for condemnation of the Congress over the issue.
The Speaker subsequently declared the motion seeking Khaira’s suspension passed unanimously. Congress MLAs were not present in the House when the motion was passed.
The Punjab Assembly session began on Thursday and is scheduled to continue until October 27.
The proceedings on Friday saw the ruling party and opposition clash over several issues, including the drug menace, Jhota’s killing and the conduct of legislators inside the House.
