CHANDIGARH, MAY 1 — A rare display of political protest, senior BJP leadership convened a “People’s Assembly” on Friday to coincide with the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s special session. The event, held near the party’s Chandigarh headquarters, was designed to resemble a formal legislative environment and was presided over by former Deputy Speaker Charanjit Atwal.
State BJP President Sunil Jakhar stated that the parallel session was necessary to address critical issues such as the drug menace and the collapse of law and order. He maintained that the government’s failure to protect its citizens was evident in the killing of Sidhu Moosewala and other instances of gang-related violence. Jakhar affirmed that the administration has lost control over the safety of the state.
“The venue was set up to resemble the Assembly, complete with a speaker’s chair and structured seating,” an organizer noted. Party leaders affirmed that the absence of a question hour was a deliberate choice to allow for more direct discussion on the “People’s Assembly” agenda.
The gathering also served as a platform for economic demands, with leaders stating that Punjab’s labor force is being underpaid compared to those in Haryana. Partap Singh Bajwa maintained that a minimum wage of ₹600 is essential for unskilled workers. Furthermore, he affirmed that the ruling government is facing significant internal friction, asserting that dozens of AAP MLAs are considering a move to the BJP.
Senior party figures, including Ashwani Sharma and Tarun Chugh, stated that the mock assembly successfully provided a voice to the public’s concerns. They affirmed that the BJP would continue to challenge the government’s narrative through such symbolic actions, maintaining that the current legislative session fails to address the true priorities of the people of Punjab.
