5.84°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

CanadaOct 27, 2026

Canada and UAE Sign Historic Trade Deal After Record 47-Day Negotiations

Canada and the United Arab Emirates have signed a historic free trade agreement in Ottawa. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed during a ceremony on Parliament Hill attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Canada’s Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi signed the agreement, which was concluded in a record 47 days after free trade negotiations began. The deal aims to eliminate tariffs, reduce regulatory barriers and create new business opportunities
45-year-old-woman-dies-after-being-hit-by-suv-in-vancouver
BCOct 27, 2026

45-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Hit by SUV in Vancouver

A 45-year-old woman has died after being struck by an SUV while crossing the street in Vancouver. According to police, the collision occurred around midnight on Sunday at a marked crosswalk at Main Street and National Avenue. The impact threw the woman approximately 30 metres away. Despite efforts by paramedics, she could not be saved. Police said it was dark and raining heavily at the time of the collision. The SUV driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the incident. This marks the second pedestrian col
sunil-jakhar-seeks-nia-probe-into-drug-and-arms-smuggling-networks-in-punjab
IndiaOct 27, 2026

Sunil Jakhar Seeks NIA Probe into Drug and Arms Smuggling Networks in Punjab

Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into drug trafficking, gangster activities and international arms-smuggling networks in Punjab. In his letter, Jakhar highlighted two cases. The first relates to the seizure of 4 kg of heroin in 2023 at Nathana police station in Bathinda district. According to the investigation, the consignment had allegedly been arranged by a man identified as Harry, who was serving a 20-year sentence at Ferozepur Jail. Jakhar alleged that police officials colluded to secu
environment-canada-issues-snowfall-warning-for-b-c-interior
BCOct 27, 2026

Environment Canada Issues Snowfall Warning for B.C. Interior

Environment Canada has issued a special weather warning for parts of British Columbia’s Interior, forecasting the first significant snowfall of the season. Snow is expected to begin late Tuesday evening in areas including Kamloops, 100 Mile House, the Thompson region and the Chilcotin, with accumulations of up to 10 centimetres possible in some areas. A separate snowfall warning has been issued for Highway 97 near Fort Nelson in northern B.C., where up to 25 centimetres of snow could fall by Wednesday afternoon. Environment Canada is urging drivers to remain alert for sudden reductions in vi
trump-congratulates-lorne-doerkson-on-bc-conservatives-historic-election-victory
CanadaOct 27, 2026

Trump Congratulates Lorne Doerkson on BC Conservatives’ Historic Election Victory

U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated Lorne Doerkson on the Conservative Party’s historic victory in British Columbia’s provincial election. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Congratulations to Lorne Doerkson on your big win. Conservatives are making strong gains in Canada.” During the election campaign, the BC NDP and David Eby had attempted to appeal to voters by portraying the BC Conservatives as being aligned with Trump-style politics. However, the Conservatives went on to win more than 60 of the 93 seats, marking their biggest electoral vi

Related News