Chandigarh: Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday attempted to ease growing unrest across the state, reaffirming that Chandigarh “remains an integral part of Punjab” as a political storm brews over the Centre’s proposal to bring the Union Territory under Article 240.
Addressing the controversy, Jakhar said the BJP’s Punjab unit stands firmly with the state’s people and their concerns. He emphasised that the party will always give priority to Punjab’s interests on sensitive matters, including Chandigarh and river water disputes.
“Chandigarh is an inseparable part of Punjab. The Punjab BJP is fully committed to safeguarding the state’s rights—be it the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Any confusion that has arisen will be addressed through discussions with the government,” he said. “As a Punjabi, I want to assure everyone that for us, Punjab comes first.”
His remarks come as the Central Government prepares to introduce the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill during the Winter Session of Parliament. The bill seeks to extend Article 240 to Chandigarh, placing it in the same category as Union Territories such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
The move has triggered widespread political opposition in Punjab. Parties across ideological lines—the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal—have joined hands in rejecting the proposed amendment.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised the Centre’s decision in a strong statement on X, accusing it of working against Punjab’s interests. “This amendment is a conspiracy being plotted by the Central Government. Only Punjab has rights over Chandigarh, which was built by uprooting villages from our state. We will not surrender our claim and will take every possible step to protect our rights,” he said.
The issue has now become a rallying point for all major political forces in Punjab, each framing the proposed amendment as an attempt to undermine the state’s historical and constitutional rights over Chandigarh.
