Chandigarh: The cold war between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Governor Banwarilal Purohit has intensified again. In a letter, the Governor pointed fingers at several decisions taken by the AAP government and sought an explanation from the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister, on the other hand, refused to give any written reply on these matters in two parts.
Referring to old letters, the governor said the government was not responding to any letter while the government was bound to respond. The governor has now gone to the extent of saying that if the information sought by him is not provided by the government within 15 days, he will be forced to seek legal advice for further action.
Reacting to this, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday categorically told the Governor that he is answerable only to the people of state and not any person appointed by the centre.
In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister apprised the Governor that he has came to know about his letter through the media. He said that all the issues raised by Governor are the issues related to jurisdiction of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that for these issues he is accountable to the 3 crore Punjabis who have elected him with a whopping mandate.
The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the state government is not at all responsible to any person appointed by the centre government. He categorically said that this was his answer to all the questions raised by the Governor. Bhagwant Mann said that rather than giving sermons to him the Governor must focus on smooth discharge of his duties as enshrined in the constitution.