Citing personal reasons, Banwarilal Purohit quits as Punjab Governor, Chandigarh Administrator

Tribune News Service

Ruchika M Khanna

Chandigarh, February 3

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit has tendered his resignation to the President of India citing “personal reasons and certain other commitments” as the reason. He has been holding the post since August 2021.

Official sources in the Punjab Raj Bhawan told The Tribune the Governor had met President Droupadi Murmu yesterday and expressed his desire to resign from the post of Punjab Governor and UT Administrator. Following this, the resignation was sent today.

The resignation comes close on the heels of the Chandigarh mayoral polls, held on Tuesday. The BJP won the election, after eight of the 36 votes were declared invalid. There is buzz the BJP top brass is unhappy with the conduct of some of the newly appointed party office-bearers in the Chandigarh unit. They had been appointed to the post after the go-ahead by the Governor. During BJP chief JP Nadda’s recent visit, complaints were made regarding the conduct of these office-bearers.

Further, there has been speculation within the BJP circles of octogenarian party veterans on gubernatorial posts in various states being asked to step down ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. This is being done as the ruling party at the Centre wants to “adjust” on these posts certain leaders who may not get the ticket in the LS elections. Purohit was amongst the few Governors of Punjab who ensured that he remained connected to the masses. He regularly visited border areas and held public meetings to understand the residents’ problems.

His utterances against the incumbent AAP government on the issue of drug menace during these visits, and later his sparring with the AAP government over “procedures not being followed” or nudging the government for not being answerable to him dominated the past 18 months of his stint.

Chief Commissioner for Chandigarh?

Speculation is rife in political circles that the Government of India may appoint a Chief Commissioner for Chandigarh, replacing the role of Punjab Governor as the Chief Administrator of Chandigarh. Earlier this week, the Centre appointed AGMUT-cadre officer Rajeev Verma as Adviser, Chandigarh Administration.

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