Punjab Vidhan Sabha Special Session: When Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary Schooled Cabinet Minister
Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary was seen schooling Cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond when he was linking MGNREGA to Dalits repeatedly during the special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Chaudhary got up to tell Sond that it should not just be linked to Dalits as it was providing jobs not just to […]
Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary was seen schooling Cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond when he was linking MGNREGA to Dalits repeatedly during the special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Chaudhary got up to tell Sond that it should not just be linked to Dalits as it was providing jobs not just to SCs but also to poor, labourers, farmers and common people. Sond appeared to be taken aback as the AAP government turned the new job scheme largely into a Dalit affair, choosing most of their speakers for the debate from the SC community, including Cheema, Kataruchak, Ughoke, Gyaspura and Pandori.
Sharvan Singh
Sharvan Singh, a 10-year-old boy from Punjab’s Ferozepur, who was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday for his service to Indian soldiers during Operation Sindoor, was a special guest at the Vidhan Sabha. He was seated in the Governor’s gallery and was welcomed by the Speaker. The members thumped their desks, lauding Sharvan’s courage.
‘Cover your head’
Speaker Kultar Sandhwan asked BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma to cover his head when he rose to pay tributes to Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh in the Assembly. Covering his head with a handkerchief, Sharma said, “It’s an honour for me.” Before him, BSP member Dr Nachhattar Pal spoke with his head covered.
Kotkapura’s juttis
Punjabi juttis from Kotkapura, the native place of Sandhwan, made way to the Vidhan Sabha and were exhibited at the members’ lounge. It is said to be an initiative by the Speaker, who brought dealers from his area to the Assembly.
‘Using religious name a dangerous precedent’
Speaking on the VB-G Ram G Act, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema expressed his concerns over the consequences of agitation against the scheme. “What will protesters do if they have to protest? Will they say G Ram G scheme ‘murdabad’? This will amount to sacrilege, and the BJP will be responsible for this desecration. The world respects Lord Ram; using a religious name for a government scheme is a political tactic to shield the government from criticism. But this creates a dangerous precedent where protesters seeking wages or rights can be labelled as being disrespectful to religious sentiments.”
Torn Congress
The Opposition Congress was torn between its member Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and supporting the resolution against replacing MGNREGA with the VB-G Ram G scheme. When the Speaker named Khaira and asked the watch and ward staff to remove him physically, Congress MLAs did not leave the House in his support, even as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann told them, “Either sit down or walk out.”
Modi’s reference
As AAP MLA Manvinder Singh Gyaspura said that “farmers forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the bills by putting a knee on his neck,” BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma protested, stating it was an insult to the Prime Minister. “Speaker Sahib, low-level language has been used about the Prime Minister in front of you. This is an insult to the Prime Minister,” Sharma said. To this, the Speaker said he would get it checked. Later, Cabinet minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said, “It’s nothing, but just a Punjabi idiom.”
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MGNREGA workers at Assembly
MGNREGA workers reached the visitors’ gallery of the Vidhan Sabha during the special session on Tuesday when the House was to pass a resolution against the VB-G Ram G scheme. The Speaker welcomed them, and Harpal Cheema was seen waving at them.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
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