Punjab Unites Against Centre’s Bid to Alter Chandigarh’s Status Under Article 240

A fierce political storm has erupted in Punjab after the Central Government tabled plans to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 during the upcoming Winter Session, seeking to bring the Union Territory of Chandigarh under Article 240 — a move that would empower the President to directly govern the city and effectively strip Punjab of its historic claim over its capital.

Currently administered by the Punjab Governor as ex-officio administrator, Chandigarh was created in 1966 as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana following the state’s reorganization. Including it under Article 240 — which presently applies only to smaller Union Territories such as Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry — would fundamentally alter the administrative structure and fuel long-standing fears that the Centre intends to permanently detach the city from Punjab’s control.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Union Government of orchestrating a “conspiracy to snatch” the state’s capital, asserting that villages were sacrificed and generations invested to build Chandigarh, which he declared “was, is, and will always remain” an inseparable part of Punjab. He vowed to resist the move through every constitutional and democratic means available.

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AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal described the proposed amendment as a direct assault on Punjab’s identity and sacrifices for the nation, stating that Punjabis have never bowed to authoritarianism and will not do so now. Congress state President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring termed the legislation “completely uncalled for,” warning of severe political repercussions and demanding that Punjab’s BJP leaders immediately clarify whether they stand with the State or the Centre.

Cutting across party lines, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal labelled the bill an “anti-Punjab and anti-federal” attack, pledging to fight it on every platform. With AAP, Congress, and Akali Dal uniting in opposition, the controversy has transformed into a rare show of solidarity, intensifying pressure on the Centre ahead of the Parliament session commencing December 1.

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