Govt-governor ties hit a new low in Punjab as Mann, Purohit spar

Adjudicating the issue, the Supreme Court has criticised both Mann and Purohit and observed that they were both “derelict” in discharging their duties under the Constitution. The court held that political differences have to be worked out with a sense of sobriety, writes Rajendra Khatry Punjab recently witnessed an ugly spat between the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Governor Banwari Lal Purohit of late. A constitutional crisis arose when the Governor refused to give assent to the CM’s plea to convene the assembly session till he answered the queries sought by him. In turn CM  Bhagwant Mann questioned the very basis of the Governor’s appointment. In a written communication to the Governor, the chief minister questioned the Governor’s authority to question him. Mann reasoned that he was an elected representative of the people, while the Governor was a central government appointee. As the unfortunate war of words and imbroglio continued, a hapless Chief Minister approached the Supreme Court. The bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud agreed to grant an urgent hearing to the Punjab government’s petition against Purohit’s refusal to summon the assembly for the Budget session from March 3. After the Supreme Court’s intervention, the Governor released a letter summoning the session from March 3. While deciding the controversial matter, the Supreme Court criticised the role of both Mann and Purohit and observed that they were both “derelict” in discharging their duties under the Constitution. Not only this, but the  SC also pointed out that Mann failed in performing his duty under Article 167 of the Constitution. According to the SC, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader declined to furnish information to the governor regarding his queries on certain issues, which included some appointments, and the scholarship scheme as well as the  selection of school principals for sending them to Singapore for training. The SC also observed that the political differences in a democratic polity are acceptable. These differences have to be worked out with a sense of sobriety and maturity without allowing the discourse to degenerate to become a race to the bottom. Earlier Banwarilal Purohit questioned the selection of school principals for a foreign trip. This led to a sharp response from Chief Minister Mann, who said that  his government is only answerable to Punjabis and not a Centre-appointed governor. Obviously the row erupted after Purohit wrote a letter to Mann asking for details on the selection of government school principals sent to Singapore for a training seminar, saying he has received complaints of “malpractices and illegalities” and needed clarification.