Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that the special Assembly session, which was earlier cancelled by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, will convene on September 27.
The development comes after the CM held an emergency Cabinet meeting today after the Governor rejected the Arvind Kejriwal-led party's demand for an Assembly session to introduce a confidence motion. The Governor withdrew the order to summon a special session of the Punjab assembly on September 22.
The Punjab CM said, "In the cabinet meeting today, it has been decided to convene an assembly session on September 27. Issues like electricity and stubble burning will be discussed. We will go to the Supreme Court against the cancellation of the Assembly session (by the Governor)."
The Governor's decision triggered a massive point-counterpoint between the major political parties in the state, including AAP, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Taking a dig at the governor for his decision, CM Mann had said, "Not allowing the assembly to run by the governor raises big questions on the democracy of the country ... now democracy will be run by the elected representatives of crores of people or a person appointed by the central government..."
The BJP workers are marching towards Punjab CM Mann's residence to protest the AAP-led state government. The police also used water cannons to disperse the workers.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, reacting sharply to this decision, said, "How can the governor refuse a session called by the cabinet? Then democracy is over. Two days ago, the Governor gave permission for the session. When Operation Lotus started failing and the number was not completed, a call came from above asking to withdraw the permission."
Coming down heavily on the Opposition- Congress and BJP, AAP had termed the Governor's move a murder of democracy.
AAP leader and party in-charge Raghav Chadha said, "Hon'ble Governor's withdrawal order raises a serious question mark on his intent. It is beyond any reasonable understanding as to why there should be any objection to a government's decision to face the assembly? This order further proves the sinister design of Operation Lotus."
