Punjab CM Mann to skip Guv Purohit’s farewell today, will attend INDIA bloc protest in Delhi

Gula Chand Kataria will take charge as Punjab Governor on July 31.

Mann and Purohit had been on a confrontational path since July 2022, when the Governor visited the border areas of the state and made a statement that drugs were available freely in the state and had reached schools too. (File)

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann won’t be attending the farewell being given to Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday and will instead be participating in the INDIA bloc’s protest rally at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to raise the issue of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s declining health in judicial custody.

President Droupadi Murmu Saturday night accepted the resignation of Purohit as the Governor of Punjab and the administrator of Chandigarh and appointed Gulab Chand Kataria, currently posted as Assam Governor, as his replacement. Kataria will take charge as Punjab Governor on July 31, the day Purohit relinquishes the post.

Purohit’s farewell is being organised by the government at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday. Mann will skip the farewell, but will attend the swearing in ceremony of Kataria.

“CM Mann is in Delhi to participate in INDIA bloc protest. He has assigned Cabinet ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora to attend Purohit’s farewell. The two ministers will also be receiving Kataria when he arrives in Chandigarh,” said an official.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh Monday said, “Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, DMK, CPI, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation will attend the INDIA Bloc protest at Jantar Mantar. We are in talks with two to three more parties,” he said. He, however said the names of the leaders joining the rally at Jantar Mantar will be known on Tuesday.

The confrontation between the Raj Bhavan and the CM in Punjab had even reached Supreme Court in 2023, when the government had not got the budget session prorogued by the Governor. On the other hand Governor had refused to give his assent to four important Bills passed by the Assembly.

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In August last year, the Governor had written to CM that he was contemplating sending a report to the President of India under Article 356. A state is brought under direct rule of the Centre with the invocation of Article 356, usually after a report is sent by the Governor.

Purohit, 83, had resigned on February 3 citing personal reasons. On March 7, however, he had stated that his resignation has not been accepted that he has been asked to continue. A day before his resignation was accepted, Purohit had said that he would be visiting border areas even if it left the CM “upset.”

As far as Kataria is concerned, Mann has said said he will welcome the new Governor and will work in coordination with him. Mann also said he respected Purohit but was not happy with his visits to the border districts. Purohit tried to create an “atmosphere of conflict,” he said.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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