AAP Legacy Continues: Bhagwant Mann To Move Supreme Court Against Punjab Governor Terming Assembly Session Illegal

In a significant development in the state of Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Friday (20 October) that his government will file a petition in the Supreme Court on 30 October against the governor’s letter in which he had termed assembly session illegal.

The governor, Banwarilal Purohit, had refused to give his assent to three critical money bills, leading to the disruption of the two-day assembly session. Mann said since the money Bills had not got the governor’s nod, they would not be presented before the House.

CM Bhagwant Mann informed the assembly that due to the governor's failure to provide approval for the money bills, the session would be temporarily adjourned until the matter is legally resolved, Hindustan Times reported.

Mann emphasised his government's commitment to upholding the legislative process and financial regulations in the state.

Governor Purohit had communicated his decision to Chief Minister Mann in a letter on Thursday, stating that he had received three key bills for approval, including the Punjab Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Indian Stamp (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023. However, he had chosen to withhold his consent, asserting that the extended budget session was in violation of legal procedures.

In light of these developments, CM requested Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to adjourn the budget session sine die, temporarily suspending proceedings until the Supreme Court reaches a verdict on this contentious matter.

Notably, it is not a new thing for an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government to enter into a legal broil with the constitutional head of the state.

Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi has gone to court multiple times against Lieutenant Governor since it came to power in 2013.