New Delhi— Punjab Governor BanwarilalPurohit has issued a stern warning to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging him to provide responses to his letters, failing which the governor will resort to legal and constitutional actions.

In a strongly-worded letter, Purohit expressed his concern about potential failures within the state’s constitutional framework. He conveyed, “Before I am going to take a final decision regarding sending a report to the President of India under Article 356 about the failure of the constitutional mechanism and decide 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 the law and the Constitution.”

The ongoing clash between Mann and Purohit has persisted for more than a year, encompassing various issues like the appointment of vice chancellors, convening of special assembly sessions, and the CM’s absence from official events. The governor repeatedly accused Mann of neglecting his official correspondence requesting administrative information. Mann’s reference to Purohit’s letters as “love letters” appears to have exacerbated the tensions.

Highlighting his August 1 communication to the chief minister, Purohit underscored Mann’s reluctance to provide information despite previous letters. He remarked, “It appears that you are deliberately refusing to give the information. I regret to note here that in spite of the clear provisions of Article 167 of the Constitution of India, which makes it mandatory for the chief minister to furnish all such information relating to the administration of affairs of the state as the governor may call for, you have failed to supply the information sought by me.”