Punjab Governor Purohit: ‘This is my final warning… CM (Mann) must answer… All my options are open. I can file a criminal case against him’

I can also write to the President. There is a complete failure of Constitutional mechanism in the state. The law and order situation is grave. I get numerous complaints every day. There are so many drug-related deaths. One out of five persons in Punjab is on drugs.

The financial position of the state is precarious. University teachers tell me they have not got their salary for months. The government debt has also gone up.

CM saab (Maan) says he is answerable only to the 3.5 crore people who have elected him. But constitutionally, it is his duty to explain to me what he is doing.

Why are you so angry with the CM?

I am a disciplined man. I was in Parliament for three terms. l was an MLA twice, a minister in the Maharashtra government, and then a Governor in Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu for four years. I have been here (in Punjab) for two years. The Governor is the executive head of the state and it is his responsibility to see that the state is being governed as per the Constitution. It must be totally transparent, corruption-free and honest. Babasaheb Ambedkar has given us Article 167, which empowers the Governor. If the Governor wants, he can ask the CM any question. The CM is duty-bound to reply; he has no option.

The last time we had this issue, the government approached the Supreme Court, which asked the CM to use decent language and respond to my queries. The SC advised me that no files should be kept pending.

But after this, he (Mann) called the Assembly without taking my permission. They (the government) took a short cut by adjourning the Assembly sine die after passing the Budget. They wanted to bypass me.

When they called the Monsoon session, I asked what the agenda was. They sent a letter saying that the Business Advisory Committee would decide (on the agenda). I told them this is illegal. But the session was called and four Bills were passed one after the other without being tabled or without any discussion.

I took legal advice and found that the session was illegal.

What about the four Bills pending with you from the Monsoon session?

They sent me the four Bills, but what is the meaning? When the session is illegal, these have no value.

What about the Vigilance Commission Bill of Punjab? Why has that not been approved?

There are different rules for money Bills. It came to me twice earlier. A money Bill cannot be tabled without seeking prior permission. In this case, my permission was not taken and the Bill was passed. It is a gross irregularity. I have sent it for legal opinion.

You said the Governor can ask questions if he is not convinced about the administration. What are your concerns?

I was badly hurt when he (Mann) used derogatory language while referring to me on the floor of the house. He said: “Kahan se aaya hai, Nagpur se aaya hai? Maharashtra se aya hai ya Nagaland se? kuch bhi likhta hai, love letter likhe hain (Where did he come from? Is it Nagpur, Maharashtra or Nagaland? He writes whatever, he writes love letters).”

He (Mann) said many things: “Baitha rehta hai, vela hai. Bahut gandi baatein bola hai, jo man mein aya bolta hain (He just sits on things, is jobless, says a lot of bad things or whatever comes to his mind).”

He (Mann) also said, “Is ka kaam shapath dilana hai, aur kuch nahin karna (his work is to administer the oath and nothing else).” This is the best case for Section 124 for which the maximum punishment is up to seven years in jail.

What do you have to say about the government’s charges of your interference?

Tell the government to give me one instance of interference. Ours is a border state. It is my duty to understand Punjab. So, I visited each and every district of the state. After the first visit, I came back and said that the police force was involved with the drug mafia.

Are you saying there is a police-drug mafia nexus?

There is a nexus. It was not that strong in the beginning. But these guys (the government) are not doing anything about it. The Narcotics bureau sealed 66 liquor vends in Ludhiana for selling drugs recently. Who gave the licences to these vends?

Have you raised these concerns with the CM?

Baat kahan karte hain? Main bol raha hoon, wo pehle hi gaaliyan dene lag jaate hain. (When does he talk? I say something and he starts abusing me).

The AAP says you are a central government appointee.

There is no basis for this accusation. I am appointed by the President. I hardly have any interaction with the Centre. I do not speak to the central government for months. I have not met the Prime Minister in eight months.

But there has been friction between the AAP governments and the Centre. Look at the standoff between the Lt Governor and the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi.

There is no comparison here. The LG has a different set of duties. He could have the right to interfere in day-to-day functioning. You cannot compare the two.

In an ideal world, how would you like the government to operate?

There should be transparency. I am asking important questions. Why is the state government not replying to them?

What if the CM does not respond to your letter even now?

I am waiting for the reply. That will be examined and then I will see all the options available to me before taking any final action.

The CM called you buzurg (an elderly person) recently and said he did not get offended by your letters.

I am a Governor. It is not a matter of being young or old. This is what you call bakwas (nonsense) in Hindi. I feel bad. Who uses the world like these? This is the first time I am seeing this kind of behaviour. Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, whose party is the biggest opponent of the BJP, wrote such a nice letter to me when I was leaving.

There are people who feel that the Constitution should be amended. What do you think?

Our Constitution is the best. I am proud of it and I will not let it be diluted at any cost. I have a copy of the Constitution in my bedroom and another one on my table.