SANGRUR, Punjab—After being blamed of visiting Takht Sri Damdama Sahib under influence of alcohol, Bhagwant Mann has volunteered for a dope test, asking for other politicians in Punjab to do the same. He has named a number of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leaders who he felt should undergo the test as well. Sukhbir Badal, Bikram Majithia and Manpreet Aiyali are among the leaders who he suggested should be tested for doping too. He also suggested that Capt. Amarinder Singh (Congress) should undergo the test as well.

A number of media channels, especially the PTC, had provided coverage of the incident at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib where Bhagwant Mann seemed to be drunk. This was however rebuffed by Mann, and others present there.

Baltej Pannu, a noted journalist stated –

“A journalist was stopped from asking political questions to Arvind Kejriwal inside Talwandi Sabo Gurdwara Sahib by Bhagwant Mann. In opposition, the journalist asked Mann if he was drunk. Throughout the day, the Aam Aadmi Party carried out a number of meetings, however no one complained about smell of alcohol. If Bhagwant Mann was drunk, I would have covered the news myself.”

A dope test is an analysis to determine the presence of specified drugs. Bhagwant Mann suggested that an internationally recognized organization should carry out the tests.