Resignation shock: Banwarilal Purohit steps down as Punjab Governor and UT Administrator citing personal reasons

Banwarilal Purohit, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, has resigned from his position, citing "personal reasons." The 83-year-old submitted a brief resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, expressing his need to step down due to personal commitments.

Controversies and Mayoral Poll impact:

The resignation follows a controversy surrounding the Chandigarh mayoral poll on January 30, where Manoj Sonkar of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious, defeating the Congress-Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alliance. The opposition alleged tampering with ballot papers by the presiding officer.

Banwarilal Purohit took charge as Punjab Governor in September 2021, previously serving as the Governor of Tamil Nadu for four years. During his tenure, he faced frequent conflicts with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. Disputes ranged from withholding important bills to clashes over appointments of vice-chancellors.

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Strained relations with Punjab CM:

The relationship between Purohit and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann became increasingly strained. The Governor termed Vidhan Sabha sessions "illegal," leading to legal battles. Disagreements over appointments, adherence to legal procedures, and constitutional propriety added to the tensions.

Controversies erupted over the appointment of vice-chancellors for educational institutions, delays in clearing bills, and allegations of interference in the functioning of the state government. The Supreme Court criticized both Mann and Purohit for their handling of constitutional duties, urging adherence to constitutional protocols.

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Purohit, a three-time Lok Sabha member, remained vocal about issues like the drug problem in Punjab. He advocated for the formation of village defense committees to combat drug smuggling. However, his actions often led to sharp reactions from the AAP, accusing him of conspiring against the government.

Purohit, having served as a Lok Sabha member and with a history of reserving bills for presidential consideration, left a mark on Punjab politics. His resignation comes amid a backdrop of contentious interactions, legal battles, and political clashes, contributing to a chapter in the state's political history.