Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have been engaged in a war of words over the official use of the government helicopter. In response to Mann’s words, the Governor has vowed not to use the helicopter until he is in Punjab. Purohit defended his statement, saying that he had only used the helicopter for official duty and not for personal use. He added that he visited the border area with Punjab officials and will now not use the government’s helicopter.
The Chief Minister mocked the Governor in assembly, to which Purohit responded that the Governor has the right to seek information from the Chief Minister regarding the affairs of the state. A day earlier, the Assembly passed the Punjab University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 unanimously, giving the Chief Minister powers over the state’s universities. In response, Mann bemoaned that the Governor, who was not from the state, created unnecessary obstacles in appointments to the universities.
Purohit has been seeking information on various issues, including appointments of Vice-Chancellors for various universities, from Mann. The Governor wrote to Mann reminding him of his constitutional duty. Mann responded to the letter via Twitter and accused Purohit of failing to refer to the Punjab government as my government during his address to the Punjab Assembly. This feud between the Governor and the Chief Minister has been ongoing for several months.
