The budget session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly will begin on Friday with an address by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, marking the final and fifth budget session of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The session is expected to be stormy as the state moves closer to the next assembly elections. The budget session will continue until March 16.

During the session, the ruling AAP government is likely to highlight the welfare initiatives and achievements of the past four years, while opposition parties are expected to target the government over the state’s law and order situation and its deteriorating financial condition.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will present the state budget for the financial year 2025–26 on March 8. No new taxes are expected to be announced in the budget. Notably, the budget will be presented on a Sunday for the first time, following the central government’s practice, and it will coincide with International Women’s Day.

The upcoming assembly elections are likely to cast a strong shadow over the proceedings, with both the government and the opposition preparing to use the session to push their political agendas.