11.61°C Vancouver

Nov 1, 2023 6:30 PM - The Canadian Press

CM Bhagwant Mann attends open debate alone, verbally attacks empty chairs

Share On
cm-bhagwant-mann-attends-open-debate-alone-verbally-attacks-empty-chairs
BJP President Sunil Jakhar raised questions on Chief Minister Bhagwant's open debate, saying that the police did not allow the common people to enter the debate. (Photo: X/Bhagwant Mann)

The open debate on Punjab issues has been boycotted by the opposition parties.

The open debate hosted by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was held at the Dr. Manmohan Singh Auditorium of the Punjab Agricultural University, in which no leader of the opposition attended.

CM Mann directed his hand towards the empty seats and launched sharp verbal attacks on the political opponents.

He said that these leaders did not have any answers to their questions, that is why they ran away today.

Speaking during the 'I speak Punjab' debate, the Chief Minister said that these leaders could not find a single flaw against me and my government for the past 25 days, due to which they could not come before me on issues related to Punjab.

On the other hand, the leader of the opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, said that it is a matter of regret that the great debate has become a drama instead of a debate.

Along with this, BJP President Sunil Jakhar raised questions on Chief Minister Bhagwant's open debate, saying that the police did not allow the common people to enter the debate.

He satirized the deployment of police and said that this program was to be conducted in Police Academy Phillaur.

With this, there was no need to seal Ludhiana city and Punjabis would not have to suffer.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal has also said that curfew was imposed, public entry was banned, anti-riot teams were deployed, representatives of organizations were detained and neutral media was stopped.

He wondered that what kind of "open" debate was this.

Latest news

canada-issues-travel-advisory-for-saudi-arabia-after-drone-and-missile-attacks
CanadaOct 15, 2026

Canada Issues Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia After Drone and Missile Attacks

The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory following drone and missile attacks by Houthi rebels targeting airports in Riyadh and Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Global Affairs Canada has advised Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. Canadians currently in the country have also been urged to consider arranging travel through neighbouring countries such as Bahrain and Qatar. The government warned that the attacks could affect international flights and that the security situation could deteriorate at any time. Canadians in Saudi Arabia have been advised to monitor local news re
driving-at-120-km-h-in-an-80-zone-corvette-impounded-for-30-days
BCOct 15, 2026

Driving at 120 km/h in an 80 Zone, Corvette Impounded for 30 Days

A 55-year-old driver in Coldstream, near British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, is facing at least $2,400 in fines and impound-related fees after allegedly speeding while impaired. According to police, at around 8:30 a.m. on September 26, a red Corvette passed a B.C. Highway Patrol officer at 120 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Highway 6. Sergeant Michael McLaughlin said other motorists were pulling over after seeing the police vehicle’s emergency lights, but the Corvette driver continued driving. The vehicle eventually stopped near a small shopping mall and was impounded for 30 days. The driver i
lethbridge-man-arrested-on-human-trafficking-charges
BCOct 15, 2026

Lethbridge Man Arrested on Human Trafficking Charges

Lethbridge police have arrested a 42-year-old man on multiple charges related to human trafficking. Police said the investigation began on September 29 after they received suspicious information about possible human trafficking. Investigators determined that a woman was being trafficked in Lethbridge, with evidence suggesting she had also been exploited in other parts of Canada since 2018. Cody James Barnes was arrested without incident on October 1. At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly violating court-imposed release conditions related to a previous human trafficking case. Barnes faces
pm-modi-expected-to-visit-canada-on-december-11-12-carney-confirms
CanadaOct 15, 2026

PM Modi Expected to Visit Canada on December 11–12, Carney Confirms

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada from December 11 to 12. Carney made the announcement Thursday morning while speaking with members of the public at a restaurant in Calgary, where he was meeting Alberta residents ahead of Monday’s referendum. Carney said he had recently spoken with Modi over the phone. The planned two-day visit is expected to focus mainly on Toronto and Ottawa, although the Canadian government will try to extend the itinerary to other cities. The visit is also expected to be significant for
mark-carney-to-attend-calgary-rally-in-support-of-alberta-staying-in-canada
AlbertaOct 15, 2026

Mark Carney to Attend Calgary Rally in Support of Alberta Staying in Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend a rally in Calgary tonight aimed at encouraging Albertans to vote in favour of remaining part of Canada. The referendum, organized by Premier Danielle Smith, is scheduled for Monday. Carney will join the Forever Canadian group, led by former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, to address pro-unity rallies in Calgary and Edmonton. Meanwhile, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre and Premier Danielle Smith are also scheduled to address a conference in Calgary on Friday.

Related News