In a surprising turn of events, the extended and acrimonious standoff between Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government has reached its resolution. The Governor’s resignation on Saturday marks the end of a protracted conflict, characterized by a series of disputes that had persisted for more than two years.
The root of the discord can be traced back to September 2022 when the government pursued a special session on “Operation Lotus.” Initially granting permission for the session, Governor Purohit later withdrew it under Opposition pressure, sparking a prolonged war of words. Tensions escalated over key appointments, including the Vice-Chancellor positions at Baba Farid Medical University and Punjab Agricultural University.
Today’s Rate
Thursday 03 Oct. 2024
The rift further widened during President Draupadi Murmu’s attendance at the Air Force Day in Chandigarh, where Governor Purohit publicly expressed displeasure at Chief Minister Mann’s absence. The breaking point came when Mann distanced himself from the Governor’s stance on drug smuggling during the Governor’s border districts tour on January 31, 2023.
A critical juncture occurred when the Governor denied permission for the budget session in February 2023, leading to legal intervention. The Supreme Court, while permitting the session, mandated Chief Minister Mann to respond to the Governor’s concerns. The feud was marked by public spats and legal battles, culminating in Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s resignation, potentially heralding a new era in Punjab’s political landscape.
Notably, last August, Governor Purohit warned Chief Minister Mann that he could recommend President’s Rule and initiate criminal proceedings if his letters went unanswered. The latest communication from Purohit to Mann reiterated the lack of response to previous letters and warned of a report to the President on the “failure of constitutional mechanism.”
Purohit’s resignation comes on the heels of the Chandigarh Mayoral polls, where AAP raised allegations of rigging, prompting a Supreme Court plea for an early decision. The Governor, who cited “personal reasons and certain other commitments” for his resignation, had been in office since August 2021 and tendered his resignation a day after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
