Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar faced criticism on Sunday after a political furore broke out over a reported proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. He clarified that he would meet Union home minister Amit Shah shortly to clear the air.
Jakhar Assures Support for Punjab’s Interests
Sunil Jakhar posted on X, “Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state, whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab.” Further, he said, “Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first.” His message was aimed at assuaging political fears and reassuring people that interests of the state would not be compromised.
BJP Leader Criticizes Opposition Reaction
BJP leader RP Singh blamed the Opposition, including the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, for reacting without understanding the details. He told ANI that “… Bhagwant Mann and other opposition leaders are opposing this bill without any knowledge. No major shift is going to take place. I challenge Bhagwant Mann, Badal or any other Congress leader to come forward and debate this matter with me…”
What the Centre Has Proposed
The Central government announced the intention to introduce Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. The provision gives the President powers to issue regulations directly for a Union Territory.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, was scheduled to be introduced during the Winter Session beginning December 1, according to a Parliament bulletin accessed by PTI.
Presently, Chandigarh is governed by the Governor of Punjab as it serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Political Backlash in Punjab
The proposal led to a storm of protests from the ruling AAP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, which accused the BJP-led Centre of trying to “snatch” Chandigarh from Punjab. For opposition parties, the amendment would have weakened Punjab’s historical and administrative connection with the city.
Centre Issues Clarification
Facing increasing criticism, the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that the Central government had “no intention” of introducing any fresh bill on Chandigarh’s administration during the coming Winter Session. It only aims to simplify the procedure of lawmaking for Chandigarh, the ministry said. It also stated that the matter is still “under consideration” and “no final decision” has been made yet.
Also Read: Why South Africa Refused to Pass G20 Presidency to US Envoy? Know Here
