Chandigarh, 01 May (H.S.):

Punjab government on Friday won a confidence motion in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha,

putting an end to speculation triggered after several Rajya Sabha MPs quit the

Aam Aadmi Party. During the voting on the trust motion,

opposition legislators from Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP were absent

from the House. Out of AAP’s total 94 MLAs in the Assembly, 88 cast their votes

in favour of the motion. Four MLAs were absent, while two lodged in jail could

not participate in the voting.

After the House proceedings began in the

afternoon, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann moved the confidence motion, stating

that the Assembly expresses its trust in the present Council of Ministers.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema seconded the proposal.

Addressing the House, Mann said rumours were

being spread over the past few days regarding MLAs being in touch with

opposition parties. In his trademark style, he remarked that while weak straws

may fall out of a broom during cleaning, the broom continues to function

effectively.

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema accused the BJP

of using central agencies to pressure Rajya Sabha MPs into joining the party.

He questioned how a party with only two MLAs could secure six Rajya Sabha MPs. Health Minister Balbir Singh, Cabinet Minister

Sanjeev Arora, MLA Anmol Gagan Mann and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora also

supported the motion and expressed confidence in Mann’s leadership.

Chief

Minister said AAP is continuously expanding and claimed the party recently

performed strongly in Gujarat civic polls. He also announced that a copy of the

confidence resolution would be submitted to President Droupadi Murmu on May 5,

along with all party MLAs, to demonstrate their support for the government.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH