Chandigarh: In a surprising turn of events, the acrimonious standoff between Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Government, which persisted for over two and a half years, ended on Saturday with the resignation of the Governor. The protracted conflict found its roots in a series of disagreements, notably triggered by the government’s pursuit of a special session regarding “Operation Lotus” in September 2022.
Initially granting permission for the session, Governor Purohit later withdrew it under Opposition pressure, sparking a prolonged war of words. Tensions escalated when the government sought approval for the appointment of Dr. G S Wander as the Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid Medical University in October 2022. The Governor insisted on a panel of three, leading to Dr. Wander’s withdrawal and further intensifying the feud over key appointments, including the VC of Punjab Agricultural University.
The rift widened during President Draupadi Murmu’s attendance at the Air Force Day in Chandigarh, where the Governor publicly expressed displeasure at Chief Minister Mann’s absence. The situation reached a boiling point when, during the Governor’s border districts tour on January 31, 2023, Mann distanced himself from the Governor’s stance on drug smuggling.
A critical juncture occurred when the Governor denied permission for the budget session in February 2023, prompting legal intervention. The Supreme Court, while permitting the session, mandated Chief Minister Mann to respond to the Governor’s concerns. During the Assembly Session, Mann criticized the Governor’s use of government helicopters, leading to Purohit’s announcement that he would refrain from utilizing them for almost a year.
Notably, the Supreme Court clarified that the Governor is not an elected representative of the people during the government’s pursuit of legislative action. The protracted feud, marked by public spats and legal battles, has finally culminated with Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s resignation, potentially paving the way for a new chapter in Punjab’s political landscape.
Last August, Purohit sent a letter to the Chief Minister, warning him that he could recommend President’s Rule in the state and also initiate criminal proceedings if his letters are not answered.
In his latest communication to Mann, Governor Purohit reiterated that he was not getting any reply from him on his previous letters, and warned him that he could send a report to the President on “failure of constitutional mechanism.”
The Governor had “threatened the peace-loving people” of the state, said Mann replying to the letter, underscoring that law and order is in complete control.
Purohit, a three-time MP (twice from the Congress and once from the BJP) from Nagpur had served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu in 2016 and was appointed Assam Governor in 2017.
Incidentally, the resignation comes after the Chandigarh Mayoral polls in which the AAP raised allegations of rigging and moved the Supreme Court to seek an early decision on its plea. The party moved the apex court after the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked Chandigarh to submit its response in three weeks over a plea filed by AAP councillor Kuldeep Kumar who was in the fray and challenged the win of the BJP’s Manoj Sonkar.
Earlier, Banwarilal Purohit on Saturday resigned as Punjab Governor citing “personal reasons and certain other commitments”. He had been holding the office since August 2021. Purohit’s resignation came a day after he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
“Due to my reasons and certain other commitments, I tender my resignation from the post of Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh. Please accept the same and oblige,” Purohit wrote in his letter to the President.
