AAP, Congress voice concern about Centre’s proposed bill to appoint LG in Chandigarh

The Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress in Punjab have raised concerns about a proposal by the Union Government to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would allow the appointment of a lieutenant governor and give the president powers to issue regulations for the Union Territory, The Indian Express reported.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, listed for introduction in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, seeks to align Chandigarh with Union Territories that do not have legislatures, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Puducherry when its Assembly is dissolved or suspended.

At present, the Punjab governor also serves as the administrator of Chandigarh.

The Punjab units of the AAP and Congress have argued that including Chandigarh under Article 240 could weaken the state's long-standing claim over the city, which it shares with Haryana as a joint capital.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he strongly opposed the proposed bill as it ran against the interests of Punjab and warned that the state would resist any attempt to change Chandigarh's status.

“Chandigarh, built by razing our Punjab's villages, belongs solely to Punjab,” Mann said on social media. “We will not let our right slip away just like that. For this, we will take whatever steps are necessary.”

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said that the new bill could pave the way for an independent administrator in Chandigarh.

“Punjab's claims on Chandigarh have historical significance,” The Tribune quoted him as saying. “Chandigarh was made capital of Punjab after the Partition as Lahore went to Pakistan.”

He urged MPs from all parties to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey their concerns about the proposal.

The Congress' state president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said that Chandigarh belonged to Punjab and warned of “serious repercussions” if the Centre altered its status, The Indian Express reported.

Warring said that successive governments at the Centre have reiterated that Chandigarh belongs exclusively to Punjab “and delay in getting it transferred to its parent state in no way weakens Punjab's case and cause”.

Source: Scroll
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