The fifth and final Budget session of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha began with uproar on Friday. During Governor Gulab Chand Kataria’s address, Congress MLAs from the opposition raised slogans over law and order issues and staged a walkout from the House after about 17 minutes.

In the absence of the opposition, the Governor continued his speech highlighting the achievements of the Punjab government. MLAs from the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party remained present in the House. Kataria began his address with the slogan “Bole So Nihal” and also suggested to Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan that “Vande Mataram” should be included in the House proceedings after the national anthem.

The Assembly proceedings were later adjourned until March 8 after paying tributes to departed personalities at 2 pm. Meanwhile, AAP leaders also held a protest outside the Assembly against remarks made by Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa.

Bajwa, however, claimed that some ministers also left the House during the Governor’s address, alleging that the government had effectively boycotted the speech.