Punjab BJP Chief Affirms Chandigarh as "Integral Part of Punjab" Amid Constitutional Amendment Controversy

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar has affirmed that Chandigarh is an "integral part of Punjab" amid the political controversy over the Centre's plans to place Chandigarh under the President's direct control.

Chandigarh:

As political tensions rise in Punjab regarding the Centre's initiative to bring Chandigarh under direct Presidential control, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar has reassured that Chandigarh remains an "integral part of Punjab." He stated that any "confusion" surrounding the issue will be resolved through discussions with the Centre. Following clarification from the Union Home Ministry, Jakhar informed NDTV that "the confusion has been cleared."

"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. 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," the veteran politician, who previously served as Congress's Punjab chief, shared on X.

The controversy stems from the Centre's plan to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would authorize the President to directly create regulations for the Union Territory. Currently, the Punjab Governor serves as Chandigarh's administrator, as it functions as the joint capital for both Punjab and Haryana.

ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਅਭਿੰਨ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਹਿੱਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਖੜੀ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਉਹ ਚਾਹੇ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਅਤੇ ਚਾਹੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦਾ। ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਜੋ ਵੀ ਭਰਮ ਦੀ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਕੇ ਇਹ ਭਰਮ ਵੀ ਦੂਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ। ਮੈ ਖੁਦ ਇਕ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ…

According to a Parliament bulletin, the Centre intends to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 during the upcoming Winter Session beginning December 1.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the Centre for "conspiring to snatch" Punjab's capital. "Our villages were destroyed to build Chandigarh, and only Punjab has the right over it. We will not give up and take necessary steps," the Chief Minister declared.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has described the move as "totally uncalled for." "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and any attempt to snatch it away will have serious repercussions," he stated. The Ludhiana MP has challenged BJP leaders in Punjab to clarify their position: "Whether you are with Punjab or against Punjab will be determined by the position you take today."

Former Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal vowed that the "anti-Punjab Bill" and "blatant attack on federal structure" would be opposed on "every front." He emphasized that "Punjab's right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable."

Article 240 of the Constitution, which the Centre plans to amend, currently authorizes the President to make regulations for the peace, progress, and good government of specific Union Territories: (a) the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; (b) Lakshadweep; (c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli; (d) Daman and Diu; and (e) Puducherry. The proposed constitutional amendment would add Chandigarh to this list.

Chandigarh was established as a Union Territory after Haryana was separated from Punjab in 1966. Currently, the Governor of Punjab serves as Chandigarh's administrator. Political leaders in Punjab have consistently maintained that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and have advocated for a separate capital for Haryana.