‘Punjab’s Right Over Chandigarh Non-Negotiable’: Centre’s Bill Faces Opposition Pushback
Chandigarh, November 23, 2025 - A political storm is brewing in Punjab over the Union Government's proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, a move viewed by many as an attempt to undermine Punjab's claim over the city. The central government plans to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, which begins on December 1, 2025. This bill would empower the President to make regulations and legislate directly for the Union Territory, similar to other UTs without legislatures.
The proposal has triggered strong opposition from across the political spectrum in Punjab, including the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). These parties argue that the move is a direct assault on Punjab's rights and a betrayal of the commitments made to the state regarding Chandigarh.
Chandigarh has been a contentious issue since the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966 when it was designated a Union Territory, serving as the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana. Currently, the Governor of Punjab also serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh. The proposed bill could lead to the appointment of an independent Lieutenant Governor for the Union Territory, effectively delinking it from Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been vocal in his opposition to the bill. "The Union Territory of Chandigarh, built by uprooting villages of our state, belongs solely to Punjab," Mann stated, vowing to take all necessary steps to protect the state's right over the city. He has accused the central government of hatching a conspiracy against Punjab and asserted that his government will not allow it to succeed.
Echoing similar sentiments, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa of the Congress party called for unity among all political parties in Punjab to resist the Centre's move. He described the bill as a clear attempt to weaken Punjab's historical, constitutional, and emotional claim over its capital. Bajwa also accused the Union Government of consistently eroding Punjab's rights on various issues, including river waters and Panjab University.
SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal has appealed to the Union Government to not introduce the bill in Parliament. He termed the move as a betrayal of Punjabis who have made significant sacrifices for the country. Badal stated that the bill seeks to end Punjab's claim to Chandigarh as its capital city and goes against the commitments made by the Centre to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab. He reminded that the Union government had accepted in principle to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab in 1970, and the Rajiv-Longowal accord fixed a deadline of January 1986 for the transfer, which never materialized.
Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, President of the Punjab Congress, also warned the Centre against the proposed amendment, stating that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, and any attempt to snatch it away would have serious repercussions. AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang has criticized the Centre's move, calling it a "daylight robbery".
The Centre's proposal has the potential to become a major electoral issue in the lead-up to the Punjab Assembly elections in early 2027. Opposition parties are likely to use this issue to rally support and put pressure on the ruling BJP. While the opposition parties have voiced strong resistance, the BJP has so far remained silent on the issue.
