Chandigarh, March 11 Heated exchanges erupted between the ruling AAP and Congress legislators in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday over alleged derogatory remarks made by main opposition party MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira about women.
Unruly scenes unfolded in the House after Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema raised the issue of Khaira's alleged comments.
As tempers rose, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan adjourned the House for 20 minutes.
Khaira came under fire from AAP MLAs for his remarks he allegedly made on social media on Tuesday about women celebrating the 'Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojna' (Chief Minister's Welfare Scheme for Women), under which the state government will provide Rs 1,000 per month to eligible beneficiaries.
The assembly even passed a resolution on Tuesday condemning Khaira for the remarks.
During the Zero Hour in the ongoing budget session here on Wednesday, Cheema again raised the issue, drawing a sharp reaction from Khaira who was present in the House.
Calling Khaira's alleged remarks unacceptable, the AAP minister demanded action against the Bholath MLA and an unconditional apology from him, urging the speaker to cancel his membership.
When Cheema was condemning him for his alleged remarks, Khaira rose from his seat and sharply reacted. There were angry gestures from both sides as tempers flared up in the House. Both the leaders could be seen challenging each other.
Cheema was joined by AAP MLAs including Sarvjit Kaur Manuke and Aman Arora who strongly opposed Khaira's reaction.
The minister also accused Khaira of making a personal attack on him, referring to him as a "bonded labour" (forced labour).
"Such language is completely unacceptable and unbecoming of a legislator," said Cheema.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa then told the speaker that the assembly cannot take cognizance of a statement made outside the state assembly.
He then sought to bring a condemnation resolution against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for an alleged comment he made against women on International Women's Day, triggering a strong protest from treasury benches.
However, the speaker refused to admit it, accusing the Congress MLAs of diverting attention from Khaira's remark. The speaker said Khaira should seek an apology in the House.
The AAP MLAs, including women legislators, rushed to the Well of the House, demanding action against Khaira. As chaos continued, the speaker adjourned the House for 20 minutes.
As the House resumed, Bajwa urged Speaker Sandhwan to allow Khaira to speak in the House to explain his position. However, the speaker asserted that Khaira should first tender an apology.
Another bout of arguments broke out between Khaira and AAP ministers Cheema and Aman Arora, leading to pandemonium.
The AAP MLAs stormed into the Well of the House again and shouted slogans against Khaira.
The Congress legislators, led by Bajwa, also rushed to the Well and protested about Khaira not being allowed to speak. They later walked out of the House.