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Mann govt’s confidence motion passes in Punjab Assembly; opposition absent
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's confidence motion in the state assembly was unanimously passed in a special session called for International Labour Day, with the opposition absent. The development follows defections of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to BJP a week earlier. Mann signalled anti-defection reforms and planned to meet the President on May 5.
Why It Matters
The vote consolidates the Mann government’s majority amid recent defections in Rajya Sabha, potentially prompting anti-defection reforms and recall mechanisms for elected representatives.
Timeline
3 Events
Mann cites plan to seek anti-defection reforms and recall mechanism
May 2, 2026
The chief minister stated that during his meeting with President Droupadi Murmu on May 5 he will submit a copy of the confidence motion and seek amendments to anti-defection provisions, including a possible recall mechanism for elected representatives who switch parties.
Confidence motion passed in Punjab Assembly; opposition absent
May 1, 2026
The CM moved the confidence motion during a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha called to commemorate International Labour Day. The motion was passed unanimously in the absence of opposition members as Congress walked out ahead of the vote; BSP MLA Nachattar Pal and Independent MLA Rana Inder Singh left the House during proceedings. In the 117-member House, AAP holds 94 MLAs, with 88 present, two abroad, two in jail, and two hospitalised.
Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs defect to BJP
April 25, 2026
A week before the Punjab assembly confidence vote, seven AAP Rajya Sabha members—Rajinder Gupta, Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Kumar Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Vikramjit Singh Sahney (Punjab), and Swati Maliwal (Delhi)—defected to the BJP, reducing AAP's Rajya Sabha strength.