NEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs on Sunday clarified that the central government had no intention to introduce any bill to “alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure” in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. This came after a political row erupted over its plans to place Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution through the 131st Amendment Bill in the upcoming winter session, bringing it in line with UTs such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.“The proposal only to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal. The proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana,” MHA said in a statement.“A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament,” it added.
Why the controversy erupted?
The BJP-led Centre had proposed bringing the Union Territory of Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. This would allow the President to appoint a lieutenant governor for the city and make regulations directly. The MHA, however, clarified that the proposal would “simplify the Central Government’s law-making process Chandigarh” and it was “still under consideration with the Central Government.”The move triggered sharp reactions across Punjab’s political spectrum, with several leaders calling it an attack on Punjab’s rights over Chandigarh.Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann strongly criticised the move, calling it “a conspiracy to snatch” Punjab’s capital. In his statement, he said “Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of the state.” Mann argued that Punjab, as the “parent state,” has full rights over Chandigarh and accused the Centre of acting unjustly.If cleared, the proposal could allow the Centre to appoint an independent administrator for Chandigarh, similar to how the UT earlier had its own chief secretary. The idea already met strong opposition from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal.AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal also launched a sharp attack on the central government. In a post on X, he said the proposed amendment was “a direct assault on Punjab’s identity and its constitutional rights” and accused the Centre of “tearing apart the federal structure”. He added that Punjab was being deprived of its rightful share, writing that it amounted to “wounding the very soul of Punjab”. He declared that “Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and shall remain Punjab’s”.Chandigarh currently serves as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. For decades, both states have claimed full rights over the city, but it has remained a Union Territory since 1966.
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