Union Home Ministry Clarifies No Final Decision on Chandigarh Status Amid Political Controversy

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the Centre is "conspiring to snatch" Punjab's capital

Chandigarh:

Amid the political storm over the Centre's plan to bring Chandigarh under the President's direct control, the Union Home Ministry has clarified that "no final decision" has been taken and that a "decision will only be made after consultation with all stakeholders". The ministry has also confirmed it does not intend to introduce a Bill on this issue in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

"A proposal to ease lawmaking for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is under the central government's consideration. No final decision has been made. This proposal does not contain anything about Chandigarh's administration or its traditional ties with Punjab or Haryana. Any decision will be taken only after consulting all stakeholders and with Chandigarh's interests in mind. The Centre does not plan to bring any Bill in this regard in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament," the Home Ministry stated in a clarification shared on X.

Previously, a Parliament bulletin indicated the Centre intended to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 in the upcoming Winter Session starting December 1. This Bill proposed placing Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would empower the President to make regulations for the Union Territory directly. Currently, the Punjab Governor serves as the administrator of Chandigarh, which functions as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

This announcement triggered strong opposition from all major political parties in Punjab, including the BJP.

AAP leader and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed that the central government was "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 described the move as "totally uncalled for". "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and any attempt to snatch it away will have serious repercussions," he stated. Former Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal characterized it as an "anti-Punjab Bill" and "blatant attack on federal structure" that would be fought on "every front". "Punjab's right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable," he emphasized.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar affirmed that Chandigarh is an "integral part of Punjab" and assured that he would discuss the matter with the Centre. "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. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first," the veteran politician stated on X.