A significant political row has erupted in Punjab over the central government’s proposal to place Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. This move, aimed at granting the President direct regulatory powers over the Union Territory, has ignited widespread concern among Punjab’s political parties. They view it as a potential alteration of Chandigarh’s administrative status and a challenge to Punjab’s long-standing claim over its capital.
The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025, slated for introduction in the upcoming Winter Session, seeks to empower the President to legislate for Chandigarh. Currently, Chandigarh is administered by an administrator, who is also the Governor of Punjab, and serves as the joint capital for both Punjab and Haryana following the state’s reorganization in 1966.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly condemned the BJP government’s action, calling it a “conspiracy to snatch” Punjab’s capital. He asserted that Chandigarh has always been and will remain an integral part of Punjab, emphasizing that the state’s villages were sacrificed for its construction. Mann pledged to take all necessary steps to protect Punjab’s rights.
Echoing these sentiments, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal labeled the proposal an “attack on Punjab’s identity.” He stressed that Chandigarh rightfully belongs to Punjab, highlighting the state’s significant contributions to national security, agriculture, and water resources.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring described the move as “totally uncalled for” and warned of “serious repercussions,” stating that any attempt to alter Chandigarh’s status would face “unprecedented resistance.”
The Shiromani Akali Dal has also joined the opposition. Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal vowed to contest the “anti-Punjab Bill,” denouncing it as a “blatant attack on the federal structure.” He declared Punjab’s right over Chandigarh as “non-negotiable.”