A delegation of the Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party met with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday to submit a formal memorandum raising serious concerns over what they described as constitutional misconduct by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The group has called for an official explanation from the Chief Minister following allegations that he attended the Punjab Legislative Assembly while under the influence of alcohol. In the interest of "preserving constitutional integrity and public trust," the delegation further urged the Governor to consider the possibility of removing Mann from his post.
The high-profile group included state president Sunil Jakhar, working president Ashwani Sharma, and former Union Ministers Vijay Sampla and Preneet Kaur, alongside several former state presidents and cabinet ministers such as Shwait Malik, Manoranjan Kalia, and Manpreet Badal.
In their written representation, the BJP leaders questioned the Chief Minister's conduct, stating that his behaviour during the May 1 session had become a matter of public debate. The memorandum claimed that the manner in which Mann addressed both the Assembly and the press outside the House strongly suggested he was in an inebriated state. They requested that the Governor seek a detailed report on the matter and take any necessary constitutional measures.
Beyond the allegations against the Chief Minister, the representation highlighted concerns regarding the security of five Rajya Sabha MPs who recently joined the BJP. The delegation claimed their security cover had been withdrawn in an "arbitrary and politically motivated" move. To illustrate a perceived double standard, the memorandum noted that MLA Raman Arora’s security was reportedly restored despite his arrest in a corruption case, allegedly after he supported the AAP government during a vote in the Assembly.
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