Wednesday, June 24, 2026
ADVT 
India

Punjab Assembly Session Begins, Badals Absent

Darpan News Desk, 24 Mar, 2017 01:26 PM
    The first session of the newly-elected 15th Punjab Assembly began here on Friday, with swearing-in of the new members. Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son and ex-Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal remained absent.
     
    Protem Speaker Rana K.P. Singh said that 115 of the 117 legislators took oath on Friday.
     
    Only Badal senior and Sukhbir Badal, who is also the Akali Dal president, did not attend the session and could not take the oath.
     
    The Congress government, led by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, took office on March 16 after the Congress swept the February 4 assembly polls, winning 77 seats.
     
     
    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 20 seats, while its ally Lok Insaaf Party won two.
     
    The Badals' Shiromani Akali Dal won 15 seats while ally Bharatiya Janata Party won three seats. 
     
    The Akali Dal-BJP alliance ruled Punjab for a decade from 2007.
     
    The new Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be elected on Monday.
     
    Governor V.P. Singh Badnore will address the assembly on March 28, followed by a debate on the address and Motion of Thanks, besides presentation of Supplementary Grants for the 2016-17 fiscal and a Vote on Account for fiscal 2017-18 on March 29.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Congress drops Shashi Tharoor for 'praising Modi'

    Congress drops Shashi Tharoor for 'praising Modi'
    The Congress Monday removed Shashi Tharoor as a spokesperson following a recommendation from its Kerala unit after he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a decision the former diplomat said he accepted as a "loyal party worker".

    Congress drops Shashi Tharoor for 'praising Modi'

    Cyclone Claims 21 Lives In Andhra, Relief Work Begins

    Cyclone Claims 21 Lives In Andhra, Relief Work Begins
    Cyclonic storm Hudhud claimed 21 lives, affected six lakh people and damaged over 6,000 houses in north coastal Andhra as the extent of destruction caused by it Sunday unfolded a day later. Relief operations began Monday on war footing.

    Cyclone Claims 21 Lives In Andhra, Relief Work Begins

    India's Foreign Policy A Big Draw On Social Media

    India's Foreign Policy A Big Draw On Social Media
    The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fuelled a spike in social media and interest in his government and its policies, including foreign policy.

    India's Foreign Policy A Big Draw On Social Media

    Cyclone hits Andhra coast, three killed

    Cyclone hits Andhra coast, three killed
    Cyclonic storm Hudhud hit the Andhra coast Sunday, triggering heavy rains and strong gales, which wrecked havoc in the coastal region killing three people.....

    Cyclone hits Andhra coast, three killed

    Sun, sand, suicides: Why are Goans killing themselves?

    Sun, sand, suicides: Why are Goans killing themselves?
    In tourism booklets and guides, it's packaged as paradise - a place to unwind from your worries. But under the glamorous surface and buried in numbers....

    Sun, sand, suicides: Why are Goans killing themselves?

    AAP wants supporters to opt for NOTA

    AAP wants supporters to opt for NOTA
    Refuting rumours that it was supporting particular political parties or candidates, the AAP Sunday asked its supporters to opt for the NOTA (none of the above) button....

    AAP wants supporters to opt for NOTA