The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is facing severe criticism from opposition parties for convening a one-day special session of the state legislative assembly. The session, scheduled for December 30, has been labeled a "meaningless" exercise and a "theatre of mockery" by Congress and BJP leaders, who accuse the administration of systematically eroding democratic traditions.
Opposition Accuses Government of Avoiding Accountability
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira launched a sharp attack, stating that the Bhagwant Mann dispensation is "acting like an event management company" rather than a government focused on development. He highlighted a pattern where the government has replaced full-fledged Budget, Monsoon, and Winter Sessions with truncated, one-day sittings.
"The Vidhan Sabha, which is meant to be the highest forum for debate, accountability and legislative scrutiny, has been deliberately reduced to a ceremonial rubber stamp," Khaira asserted. He emphasized that these token sessions leave no room for serious discussion, oversight, or holding the government accountable. A critical casualty of this approach, according to him, is the Question Hour, which is routinely omitted. "When there is no Question Hour, there is no accountability. This is a calculated attempt to silence people's representatives," Khaira added.
Special Session Called to Oppose Central Law
The immediate trigger for the special session is the Punjab government's plan to pass a resolution against the Centre's Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act. This new central legislation replaces the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
However, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar dismissed the session as another "propaganda exercise" by what he called a "failed" government. He suggested the government should instead use a special session to discuss Punjab's "deteriorating" law-and-order situation and the frequent reports of murders and extortion.
Jakhar turned the focus on the state's own implementation of MGNREGA. He claimed that during a recent visit by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, people from every district highlighted corruption in the scheme in Punjab. He pointed out that the state government's performance has been poor, providing an average of only 26 days of employment in the current fiscal year, and just 38 days on average in previous years, against the guarantee of 100 days.
"This exposes the anti-poor face of the AAP government," Jakhar said, questioning why the state was troubled when the Centre promises to curb corruption and increase work days from 100 to 125.
A History of Unfulfilled Promises from Previous Sessions
Both Jakhar and Khaira questioned the utility of past special sessions, arguing they have yielded no tangible benefits for the common people. Jakhar asked what happened to the draft law against sacrilege sent to a select committee, or the outcome of the session convened after allegations of bribes offered to AAP MLAs for defection.
"The government has convened several special sessions... but apart from presenting them as events, the government should make it public what benefits, if any, these sessions have brought," Jakhar stated. He added that these sessions only place an additional financial burden on the people of Punjab.
Khaira echoed this, stating that resolutions passed in such "short and poorly conducted sessions" remain unimplemented, "gathering dust in the Raj Bhawan" as the Governor withholds assent. He accused the Chief Minister of using the Assembly to crack jokes and mock opposition leaders instead of engaging in serious debate.
Khaira warned of a grave threat to democracy in Punjab due to this systematic erosion. He demanded the immediate restoration of full-length sessions, an adequate number of sittings, a guaranteed Question Hour, and fair treatment of opposition MLAs.
