‘Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab…’ : State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar’s assurance after Centre proposes Bill to take control of UT

Sunil Jakhar's statement comes after the BJP-led Central government proposed to include Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, allowing for the appointment of a Lieutenant Governor to administer the Union Territory.

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sunil jakhar, punjab, draft agriculture policy,BJP‵s Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar said any confusion over Chandigarh can be resolved by discussing with the government. (File photo)

Amid row over Centre’s proposed Bill to take control over Chandigarh, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said the union territory (UT) is an integral part of Punjab, and any confusion over it can be resolved only by discussing with the government.

“Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first,” Jakhar said in X post.

His statement comes after the BJP-led Central government proposed to include Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, allowing for the appointment of a Lieutenant Governor to administer the Union Territory. With this move likely to weaken Punjab’s claim over the capital city, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress have registered their stiff opposition — both saying that the BJP-led Centre was trying to weaken the border state’s rightful claim over Chandigarh, which it currently shares with Haryana as a joint capital.

The Centre will introduce The Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill 2025 in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament, beginning December 1, 2025, as per a bulletin of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Bill seeks to include Chandigarh in Article 240 of the Constitution of India, in alignment with other UTs without legislatures such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Puducherry (when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended).

This could result in UT of Chandigarh having an independent administrator. Currently Punjab Governor also holds the additional charge as the Administrator of UT of Chandigarh.

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