Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday asserted his govt enjoyed full confidence both inside and outside the assembly, calling any demand for a floor test “unnecessary”. He added he was still open to proving his majority on the floor of the House if challenged by other parties. Punjab govt has convened a special session of the assembly on May 1 to “pay homage to the working class of the state”.Asked about talks that the AAP govt will bring a confidence motion during the special session, Mann said, “The people of Punjab already have confidence in the govt. There are 94 MLAs of the party. What could be bigger confidence for the people of Punjab than this? When the state budget was passed, it also showed confidence. If a budget fails, then a govt can fall. All our bills were passed almost unanimously (in the assembly).” He added, “But if someone claims that so many (AAP MLAs) are in touch with them (other parties) and the govt will fall, then we can show the confidence (with a motion).” Replying to a question on Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, who asked the AAP govt to clear pending dues of state employees, Mann asked the BJP leader to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “guarantees” of giving Rs 15 lakh into everyone’s bank account and 2 crore jobs fulfilled. The last time the AAP govt passed a confidence motion in the Punjab assembly was on Oct 3, 2022. The treasury benches moved the motion after accusing the BJP of attempting to topple its govt under ‘Operation Lotus‘ by allegedly offering bribes to AAP MLAs. Replying to a question, he said, “Those questioning the rationale of convening the Vidhan Sabha session must first answer for the guarantees fulfilled by the Modi govt before raising questions about us.”
