Amid a political uproar over reports that the Centre plans to place Chandigarh under the President’s direct control, the Union Home Ministry has clarified that no final decision has been taken and that no Bill on the matter will be introduced in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
In a statement shared on X, the ministry said a proposal to “simplify lawmaking” for the Union Territory is under consideration but stressed that it does not alter Chandigarh’s administration or affect its historical ties with Punjab and Haryana. “Any decision will be taken only after consulting all stakeholders and keeping Chandigarh’s interests paramount,” it said.
The clarification follows a Parliament bulletin indicating the government’s intention to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposed bringing Chandigarh under Article 240, empowering the President to issue regulations directly. Currently, the Punjab Governor serves as Chandigarh’s administrator, with the city functioning as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
The bulletin sparked an immediate backlash from political parties across Punjab, including the BJP.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Centre of “conspiring to snatch” Punjab’s capital, asserting the state’s sole claim over Chandigarh. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring warned of “serious repercussions”, while Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the proposal an “anti-Punjab Bill” and a threat to federalism.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also voiced concern, calling Chandigarh an “integral part of Punjab” and promising to raise the issue with the Centre. “For us, Punjab always comes first,” he said.
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