'If the craving for power is so intense, perhaps the Governor should consider leading BJP in the polls'- CM Mann

CHANDIGARH: In a swift response to a series of letter from Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made his stance abundantly clear. Declining any engagement with the Governor, the Chief Minister said, "The question is, has the Governor ever truly stood by the side of Punjab's citizens?" 

CM Mann said, "Indirect questions have always been their approach, while the pursuit of Punjab's interests with the central government has been absent. It's as if 'UT' signifies 'BJP' - they seem to follow the Central's lead."

"The Governor's desire for issuing orders or employing language that denigrates Punjabis is nothing new," asserted Mann, reflecting on a past marked by similar instances. "It's easy to perceive that these mandates are handed down from above. It's not only Punjab; other states are grappling with similar issues. Just yesterday, the Honorable Governor issued a veiled threat of imposing President's Rule upon our peace-loving land. This, I believe, is uncalled for."

In a taunting jest, Mann speculated on the Governor's hunger for authority, drawing a link between his prolific letter-writing and a yearning for power. "If the craving for power is so intense, perhaps the Governor should consider leading BJP in the elections as a Chief Ministerial face. That's where true power emanates, enabling one to issue commands."

 "Let us nurture the spirit of freedom that fueled the nation's independence struggle. Let us shoulder the responsibility of nourishing the nation. Instead of threatening us with President's Rule, let us unite to prosper," Mann appealed, firmly urging the Governor not to exacerbate their wounds.

The Chief Minister's address wasn't without a touch of diplomacy. While assuring that all of the Governor's letters would receive a response, he emphasized the importance of addressing the pending bills that have been languishing for over a year. "There are six bills awaiting the Governor's signature, some dating back to the time of the Captain's government. Before further discussions, let's attend to these crucial matters."

Highlighting statistical data, Mann contested the Governor's assertion of Punjab's lower law and order ranking. "Gujarat tops the charts at 90.5 out of 140, with Punjab a close second at 85.1. Notably, Haryana ranks 19th at 37 points, and Rajasthan stands 16th at 46 points. It's not fitting to assert that law and order prevails more favorably in the state securing the second rank."

Chief Minister Mann went on to question the Governor's silence on incidents in other states. "Has there been any statement on the Manipur incident? Does the constitution cease to apply there? What's the situation in UP? Strangely, there are no letters from the Governor of UP."