Written by Kanchan VasdevChandigarh | January 1, 2026 06:28 PM IST 3 min read Holding the Centre responsible, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused it of favouring BJP-ruled Haryana at the cost of Punjab’s farmers (File Photo)Ever since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government assumed office in Punjab in 2022, it has held special sessions of the Vidhan Sabha largely to attack the BJP-led Centre and its policies. In its latest such exercise, the fifth special session held on December 30, the Assembly adopted a resolution against the Centre’s Viksit Bharat–G Ram G scheme, which dismantled the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).All five special sessions convened so far have carried confidence motions and resolutions directly criticising the BJP or the Centre. However, the Opposition has trained guns on the AAP Government for organising single-day sessions and not allowing them to raise issues of their constituencies.Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal have questioned the need to repeatedly bypass regular Assembly sittings in favour of special sessions, especially when the outcomes remain largely symbolic.The first special session, convened in June 2022, saw a confidence motion as AAP alleged that at least 10 AAP MLAs were approached by the BJP under its “Operation Lotus” with an offer of Rs 25 crore to each of them in a bid to topple the six-month-old Punjab government.A subsequent special session was called over the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) decision to release Punjab’s share of water to Haryana. Holding the Centre responsible, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused it of favouring BJP-ruled Haryana at the cost of Punjab’s farmers. The resolution was aimed at positioning the Punjab government as a defender of farmers’ interests while sharpening its confrontation with New Delhi.In September 2025, another special session was convened in the aftermath of floods triggered by heavy rainfall. The role of central agencies, particularly the BBMB, came under scrutiny, with the Assembly adopting a resolution blaming the Centre’s negligence for the losses suffered by Punjab.A separate special session on November 24 marked the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. It was held at Sri Anandpur Sahib instead of the Vidhan Sabha complex, a first for the state.Story continues below this adThe December 30 session brought the focus back to employment and welfare. The Assembly unanimously passed a resolution alleging that the Centre was “snatching away the rights of the poor, Dalits and labourers” by phasing out MGNREGA through the VB-G Ram G Act. Mann described the legislation as anti-Dalit and anti-poor. While the Congress and SAD supported the resolution, the BJP dismissed it as an attempt to shield corruption.Congress member Sukhpal Singh Khaira raised it in the House on Tuesday that the special sessions were becoming the order of the day and the legislators were not able to raise the issues faced by their constituencies.The standoff, in the past, had also sharpened Centre–state tensions spilling over into an unprecedented confrontation between the chief minister and former Governor Banwarilal Purohit that eventually reached the Supreme Court.Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa accused the government of wasting money on special sessions and not organising regular sessions. Mann accused Bajwa of going against the “rights of poor and Dalits and calling this session a wastage of money.”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. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd