Skipping Punjab finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa's budget speech, the Congress again boycotted the assembly for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday.
The MLAs of the Opposition continued with their mock assembly session in the Vidhan Sabha parking area to criticise the SAD-BJP coalition government, but there was no mention of the state's poor financial health, as reflected in the CAG report.
Instead of proposing a parallel budget, the Opposition discussed general issues like law and order. Fourteen of the 46 Congress MLAs were absent and only a few speakers put forth their views.
MLA Kuljit Nagra said the Youth Akali Dal was working against the nation's interest by running the government in Punjab in a dictatorial manner. Mocking at cabinet ministers Madan Mohan Mittal and Anil Joshi, he said both had failed to deliver.
Another Congress MLA, Guriqbal Kaur, said the state government was not releasing funds for constituencies represented by her party.
Ajaib Singh Bhatti said no section of the society was satisfied with the functioning of this "totally corrupt" government.
"In Punjab, only Sukhbir and Majithia are happy, the rest of the population is in distress," he said.
Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar said his party would continue to boycott the proceedings of the House. "We'll hold discussions on the budget in Thursday's mock session," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar said his party would continue to boycott the proceedings of the House. "We'll hold discussions on the budget in Thursday's mock session," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Decision on no-trust motion likely today
The Congress is expected to take a final decision on bringing a no-confidence motion against the Vidhan Sabha speaker on Thursday. Leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar had said on Tuesday that the Congress would be consulting legal experts on the matter. The party high command has reportedly given the move a go-ahead. "We are waiting for an appropriate time to bring the motion," said Jakhar.