Bhagwant Mann-Led AAP Govt Proves House Majority With Vote On Confidence Motion In Punjab Assembly

The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab administration demonstrated its majority on Monday by voting on the motion of confidence in the Legislative Assembly. Last Monday, the Chief Minister moved the resolution in the Assembly, alleging that the BJP was attempting to unseat his administration. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan put the motion for confidence to a vote following a protracted discussion. He first asked those MLAs who were in favour of the motion of confidence to raise their hands, and then he asked those who were opposed.

 

"Thus, the measure has the support of 93 MLAs and the opposition of none. Consequently, the proposal is unanimously passed "said the Speaker.

 

On the first day of the Assembly session, Mann moved the resolution of confidence and criticised the BJP for its purported "Operation Lotus." Additionally, he charged that the Congress was complicit in the saffron party's collaboration.

 

As part of its "Operation Lotus," the BJP allegedly approached at least ten of the AAP's MLAs with an offer of Rs 25 crore each in order to topple the six-month-old administration.

 

During the session last week, Congress MLAs caused three adjournments of the House on Tuesday. The BJP lawmakers staged a walkout as the Congress MLAs were marshalled out prior to the resolution being moved.

 

CM Bhagwant Mann remarked in the Assembly that Congress MLAs "ran away" from the conversation in the House.

 

The Punjab Chief Minister accused the BJP of believing that they alone should hold all the authority worldwide. "We have the trust of three crore Punjabis. I am absolutely confident in my 91 warriors (AAP MLAs) "Mann commented.

The 117-member Punjab Assembly is made up of 91 members of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and 19 members of the opposition, including 18 seats held by the Congress and one by an Independent MLA.

After days of argument between the Raj Bhavan and the AAP government over it, the Assembly session was called after Governor Banwarilal Purohit approved of it. Earlier, the Governor had withdrawn his consent for a special session to be held on September 22 in order to introduce a resolution of confidence.

Then, after being informed that topics including stubble burning, goods and services tax, and electricity supply would also be covered, he granted the government's request to call the House to order.

Partap Singh Bajwa, the leader of the opposition and a Congress lawmaker, declared he would ask Governor Banwarilal Purohit to reprimand Mann for deceiving both him and the House over the confidence motion and to file a FIR against the chief minister.