Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit responded on Friday to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s dig at him for visiting the state’s border districts, and said he will not refrain from doing so even if the AAP leader “feels bad”.
The governor, who earlier had been at loggerheads with the chief minister over various issues, also asked Mann “not to be afraid of him” and stressed that there was no reason for the CM to be ”upset”.
Mann had on Thursday hit out at Purohit, saying he should refrain from creating an “atmosphere of conflict” and instead inaugurate a seminar at a university.
Addressing the media here on Friday evening, Purohit spoke at length about his tours to the border districts of Pathankot, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran.
He stressed that because of his visit, coordination between the police force and central agencies has improved which will help in their efforts to check smuggling of drugs and weapons from Pakistan.
Purohit also said village-level defence committees have been formed in border villages at his instance and he has also declared cash prizes for villages helping in the recovery of drones and drugs.
He reiterated the entire border area will be covered with an anti-drone system within a year.
Speaking to reporters in Jalandhar on Thursday, Mann said the governor holds a constitutional post and should fulfil his responsibility “and we will fulfil ours”.
He was reacting to Purohit’s visits to border districts and meetings with villagers and officials of the police and central agencies.
Replying to a question about it, Purohit said, “Even if he feels bad about my visit, I will still go.” The governor said, ”I meet all. I meet representatives of every party. I listen to them. There is no politics in me.” On the issue being made out of his visits, Purohit said, “Why does the chief minister need to be afraid of me? Why should the governor be a problem for anybody?” ”Where do I interfere? The visits are my constitutional responsibility and it will happen,” he said, adding it is his duty to take responsibility for national security matters.
“Through you (media) I want to tell people that my intention is pure. There is no reason why the CM should be upset,” Purohit said.
With inputs from News18
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