'Don't test patience of 3.5 crore Punjabis': CM Mann hits back at Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit

PTC Web Desk: A day after Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit's warning that he may recommend invoking President's Rule in Punjab if the state government failed to address his inquiries, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said he had already responded to nine out of the 16 questions posed by the Governor, with efforts ongoing for the remaining queries.

Presenting the data, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann highlighted that substantial measures had been undertaken by the state to tackle concerns related to drugs and law enforcement.

He emphasised that he was not responding solely as a Chief Minister but also as an ordinary citizen representing the 3.5 crore residents of Punjab. CM Mann stated, "We struggled for our independence, safeguarded the nation's borders, and nourished the country through the Green Revolution. We align ourselves with the nation on all matters of national importance. Nonetheless, we understand how to counter suppression, as history has previously demonstrated."

Bhagwant Mann cautioned Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit "against pushing the limits of the patience of the people of Punjab through such intimidating ultimatums"

At a press conference in Chandigarh on Saturday, Bhagwant Mann, who secured a resounding victory in the Punjab Assembly elections in February 2022, said, "Do not attempt to challenge the endurance of the people of Punjab. The Governor is intentionally employing threats by implying the possibility of recommending President's Rule. Such actions belittle the mandate bestowed upon us by the people of Punjab."

On Friday,  Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit lashed out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for "deterioration of law and order in the state". He sought an urgent report from CM Mann detailing the measures he has implemented to address the widespread issue of drug trade.

Besides, Governor Banwarilal Purohit cautioned the Punjab Chief Minister, emphasising the need for timely responses to his communications.

In a letter to Bhagwant Mann, Purohit mentioned that he had been informed by multiple agencies about extensive presence and misuse of drugs in Punjab. He noted that the accessibility of drugs, even in pharmacies, had become widely known. He also highlighted a concerning development where these substances were being distributed through government-regulated liquor outlets.

The Punjab Governor also made a mention about recent action by the Narcotics Control Bureau and Chandigarh Police, which sealed 66 liquor vends in Ludhiana for selling drugs.

“Bound as I am by the duty placed on the Governor under the Constitution to see that the administration is carried on a level which would be regarded as good, efficient, impartial and honest, and that the proposals enunciated by the government are not contrary to the law of the land, I, therefore, advise you, warn you and ask you to respond to my letters and give me the information sought,” he said in the letter written to Bhagwant Mann.

The Governor said “Before I take the final decision regarding sending a report to the President under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and take a decision about initiating criminal proceedings under Section 124 of the IPC, I ask you to send me the requisite information sought for under my letters referred to above, as also in the matter of the steps taken by you concerning the problem of drugs in the state, failing which I would have no choice but to take action according to law and the Constitution,” he said.