Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party secured a decisive victory in the confidence motion in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, reaffirming its majority in the state legislature. The party currently holds 94 seats, comfortably ahead of the opposition, which includes members from the Congress, BJP, BSP, SAD, and an Independent legislator.
The trust vote came at a crucial time for the party, following a recent political setback in the Rajya Sabha where several senior leaders, including Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Harbhajan Singh, resigned and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Addressing the Assembly, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed rumours of internal instability, stating that claims of large-scale defections within the party were unfounded. He emphasised that the outcome of the confidence motion had clearly demonstrated the unity and strength of the ruling party.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister also announced a 15 per cent increase in minimum daily wages for workers across both government and private sectors, marking a significant policy decision on the occasion of Labour Day. He said the move aims to provide financial relief to workers amid rising costs of living and will benefit a large number of families across the state.
The wage revision is the first such increase in over a decade, reflecting the government’s focus on labour welfare and economic support. Mann reiterated that the state administration remains committed to safeguarding the interests of workers and ensuring their financial security.
The successful passage of the confidence motion, coupled with the wage hike announcement, signals a strong political message from the ruling party while reinforcing its governance agenda in Punjab.
