Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Accused of Attending Assembly Under the Influence of Alcohol
A major controversy erupted in Punjab politics on May 1, 2026, when the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leveled serious allegations against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Opposition parties have accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of attending the State Legislative Assembly under the influence of alcohol.
Sharing a video of CM Bhagwant Mann speaking in the Assembly, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal alleged that he delivered his address while intoxicated.
Writing on 'X' (formerly Twitter), she stated, "Once again today, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has arrived at the Punjab Legislative Assembly—the temple of democracy—in a state of complete intoxication."
Concurrently, the Akali Dal has also publicly demanded that the Chief Minister undergo a dope test so that the truth may be revealed to the public. This controversy has surfaced at a time when the Aam Aadmi Party is being targeted by the opposition parties in Punjab regarding the power crisis, drug abuse, and the utilization of government funds.
The Akali Dal's allegations have further intensified this political standoff. However, the Aam Aadmi Party has consistently and categorically rejected such allegations in the past, dismissing them as a political conspiracy. It now remains to be seen what further turns this matter takes and whether any official initiative is undertaken regarding an investigation or punitive action.
Highly shameful: SAD
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal posted on 'X', describing it as a matter of deep shame that CM Bhagwant Mann arrived at the Assembly under the influence of alcohol on the occasion of 'Labour Day'.
The Akali Dal wrote, "It is highly shameful that today, on the occasion of 'Labour Day', CM Bhagwant Mann entered the hallowed precincts of the Assembly in a drunken stupor. You can see for yourselves how the Chief Minister is conducting himself within the Assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal demands that the Chief Minister undergo a dope test today in full public view, so that the people of Punjab may also learn the truth."
Separately, speaking to the media, Pratap Singh Bajwa—the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly—remarked, "What, exactly, are we supposed to do upon arriving at the Assembly when the Chief Minister himself is in an intoxicated state? What is the justification for convening a session when the head of the state is completely inebriated? We demand that everyone be subjected to testing."
Aam Aadmi Party Dismisses Allegation
In response, Aman Arora—President of the Punjab unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a Cabinet Minister—said, "A special session was convened by the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, specifically to honor the hard work and contributions of the laborers."
He further added, "The Opposition is engaging in baseless and gratuitous rhetoric, which is unfortunate. This amounts to rubbing salt in the wounds of the laborers and undermines the dignity of the House."