Punjab MPs’ Budget Session Report Card 2026: Nominated MP Satnam Singh Sandhu as state’s most active voice
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 8, 2026 – The Budget Session 2026 saw a mixed pattern of engagement among Punjab’s MPs, with nominated Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu emerging as the most active parliamentarian from the state. Over 31 sittings, Sandhu recorded the highest attendance and led in raising questions, interventions, and Punjab-specific issues, reflecting a strong commitment to parliamentary duties.
Punjab is represented by 13 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 7 in the Rajya Sabha. Although Sandhu is a nominated MP, as he belong to Punjab and consistent focus on state-related issues make his contributions relevant and significant.
Sandhu’s performance included 51 questions, 7 Zero Hour interventions, 3 Private Members’ Bills, and 22 Punjab-related issues. Key matters he raised included restoration of the Sikh Reference Library in Darbar Sahib, groundwater depletion, river pollution, flood relief for farmers, railway connectivity in border areas, and the establishment of horticulture and cooperative universities in Punjab.
Close behind Sandhu, Raghav Chadha (AAP, Rajya Sabha) matched the highest attendance at 96.7% and raised 48 questions, while Sandeep Kumar Pathak (AAP, Rajya Sabha) asked 49 questions. Ashok Mittal (AAP, Rajya Sabha) raised 48 questions with 87.09% attendance, reflecting strong Upper House participation. In the Lok Sabha, Amar Singh (Congress) recorded a perfect 100% attendance, followed by Malvinder Singh Kang (AAP) with 93.5%, showing consistent Lower House presence.
In addition to broader performance trends, Rajinder Gupta, elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in November 2025, is a relatively new entrant to politics compared to other Punjab MPs. Gupta, a prominent industrialist and founder of the Trident Group and a Padma Shri awardee, has leveraged his experience in business and institutional leadership to actively participate in parliamentary work. During a Zero Hour intervention on December 2, 2025, he urged the Centre to fast-track the Shaheed‑E‑Azam Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha Airport at Halwara (Ludhiana), highlighting its potential to improve travel, reduce costs, and boost economic opportunities in the industrial belt. On March 11, 2026, he spoke on the need for a National Social Media Policy for government officials, emphasizing clear guidelines as public communication increasingly moves online.
Despite being relatively new to politics, Gupta has consistently advocated for improved transport connectivity, including expanded international flight services from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali, and additional rail stoppages, such as at Barnala for premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express, aiming to make travel more convenient for both daily commuters and long-distance passengers.
Other MPs’ participation varied widely. While Sandhu led Punjab-specific interventions, Malvinder Singh Kang and Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney raised 17 issues each, and Charanjit Singh Channi and Harsimrat Kaur Badal raised 14 and 13 issues respectively.
Several MPs, including Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, and Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal, did not raise any Punjab-specific issues. Notably, Gurjeet Singh Aujla and seven other MPs were suspended during the Budget Session, limiting their participation.
The report also notes Amritpal Singh, currently in jail, was not included in the evaluation. The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently dealt with his plea challenging the state government’s refusal to grant parole for attending the Budget Session. Singh, elected MP from Khadoor Sahib in 2024, has been lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, under the NSA since April 2023. His detention has been extended for another year, and he did not attend the session.
Private Members’ Bills highlighted proactive engagement. Sandhu introduced three bills — the Pravasi Bharatiya Kaushal Evam Pratibha Prerak Vidheyak (2025), Kisan Jeevan Suraksha Evam Durghatna Pratipurti Vidheyak (2025), and the National Ranking and Accreditation Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill (2025) — covering issues from overseas Indian talent and farmer welfare to higher education reforms.