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Punjab politics has erupted after the Centre proposed the 131st Amendment Bill, prompting the SAD to call an emergency meeting.
Chandigarh Status Row Heats Up Ahead of Winter Session
Tensions have escalated sharply in Punjab’s political landscape following the Centre’s move to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes bringing Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has denounced the proposal as an attempt to dilute Punjab’s rightful claim over Chandigarh, prompting party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to call an emergency meeting of the party’s Core Committee.
Sukhbir Badal calls emergency meeting
Sukhbir Singh Badal issued a strongly worded statement on X, declaring that the move amounted to an “anti-Punjab” assault on the federal structure. He announced an emergency Core Committee meeting at 2 PM on Monday at the party headquarters in Chandigarh to devise a decisive response.
Badal said, “The Bill aims to demolish Punjab’s rightful claim over Chandigarh. The Akali Dal will fight the Centre’s proposal ‘on every front’. Punjab’s right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable.”
The SAD president assured Punjabis that the party would not allow “this anti-Punjab Bill” to succeed and vowed a robust political and constitutional battle.
AAP leader and CM of Punjab Bhagwant Mann opposed the Centre’s proposed Chandigarh bill, calling it an attack on Punjab’s rights and a move to “snatch” Chandigarh from the state. He has repeatedly asserted that “Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of Punjab” and vowed that the state “will not allow” the amendment to go through.
Cheema says ‘a conspiracy against Punjab’
SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema sharpened the party’s attack, expressing deep shock and disappointment over the Centre’s proposal. He said the party never expected that the Union government would “attempt a conspiracy to take Chandigarh away from Punjab,” especially at a time when the nation is commemorating the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.
Cheema noted that Punjab had anticipated goodwill gestures from the Centre on this historic occasion, but instead, the proposed amendment had “shocked Punjabis.”
He confirmed that the Core Committee would meet on 24 November at 2 PM under Sukhbir Badal’s chairmanship to finalise the next steps. Senior constitutional experts will also be consulted to prepare a strong and legally sound strategy to challenge what the party calls the Centre’s “wrongful step.”
Chandigarh UT move will boost growth: BJP
Meanwhile, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal criticised the Aam Aadmi Party for “spreading misinformation”, stating that making Chandigarh a full Union Territory would only accelerate its economic development. He argued that under Punjab’s administration, investors have remained uncertain, but UT status would allow the Centre to bring in funds and execute development projects more efficiently, as seen in other Union Territories.
Calling the controversy “politically manufactured”, Khandelwal said insecure leaders were attempting to create unrest for relevance. He stressed that this was an administrative decision, not a political one, and clarity would emerge once Parliament’s session begins on 1 December.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar reaffirmed that Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, stressing the party’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the state’s interests, including issues of territory and water. He said any confusion over Chandigarh would be resolved through discussions with the government. As a proud Punjabi, Jakhar emphasised that Punjab’s priorities will always come first for the BJP.
Former BJP MP RP Singh dismissed the ongoing controversy over Chandigarh’s proposed administrative changes, calling it a politically motivated dispute. He argued that the amendment linked to Article 240 would only simplify decision-making by enabling the President to take direct calls, without affecting law and order or existing structures.
Singh reiterated that the Governor of Punjab would remain the Lieutenant Governor of Chandigarh, challenging opposition leaders including Sukhbir Badal and Congress representatives to debate him publicly. “They are opposing just for the sake of opposition because they have no real issue to raise,” said Singh. He accused rival parties of manufacturing issues to stay relevant, citing recent protests over unfulfilled promises as evidence of their misplaced priorities.
What the 131st amendment proposes?
According to parliamentary bulletins, the Centre plans to introduce The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the winter session of Parliament beginning on 1 December 2025. The Bill seeks to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, enabling the Centre to appoint a Lieutenant Governor to administer the Union Territory.
The move is widely seen as diminishing Punjab’s historical and political claim over Chandigarh, which currently functions as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
The Centre’s proposal has sparked rare unity among Punjab’s political rivals. Both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have strongly opposed the move, accusing the BJP-led government of undermining Punjab’s rights as a border state.
They argue that the amendment would further erode Punjab’s administrative stake in Chandigarh and weaken the federal balance envisaged by the Constitution.
With political temperatures rising and parties lining up for a confrontation, the controversy over Chandigarh is set to become a major flashpoint in the winter session of Parliament.
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public…Read More
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public… Read More
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