Congress leader Pargat Singh has launched a sharp attack against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of deliberately misleading the people of Punjab regarding the sensitive Chandigarh issue. Singh warned the Aam Aadmi Party leader to stop confusing well-informed Punjabis about the reality of the situation.
The Unfounded Claims Exposed
Pargat Singh categorically stated that Mann's assertion about the central government reversing its move to separate Chandigarh through the 131st amendment is completely unfounded. The Congress leader emphasized that having served as a Member of Parliament for eight years, Mann should well understand the parliamentary procedures.
Once a decision receives Union cabinet approval, it gets published in the Parliamentary Bulletin, Singh explained. The amendment bill concerning Chandigarh has already appeared in the Bulletin, indicating formal cabinet clearance. Nothing gets printed in this official document without proper cabinet approval, and such decisions cannot be withdrawn unless the Cabinet Committee itself authorizes such action.
BJP's Long-standing Agenda Revealed
The Congress leader revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party remains determined to push this bill forward. According to Singh, the BJP has maintained a long-standing objective to detach Chandigarh from Punjab, and the 131st amendment represents a crucial part of that political agenda.
Instead of defending Punjab's legitimate interests, Chief Minister Mann is allegedly misleading the public and advancing the BJP's narrative. This accusation comes amid growing concerns about Punjab's diminishing influence over its capital city.
Consequences for Punjab's Authority
Pargat Singh explained the serious implications if the bill passes. Chandigarh would be treated as a regular Union Territory, transferring powers currently held by the Punjab governor to an independent administrator. This move would effectively strip Punjab of all administrative authority over Chandigarh, fundamentally altering the state's relationship with its capital.
The Congress party has declared it will not allow this BJP conspiracy to succeed under any circumstances. The party has taken a clear stand against this move, asserting that Chandigarh was, is, and will always remain an inseparable part of Punjab. The Congress has even offered to accompany Chief Minister Mann to Delhi to meet the President and jointly protest this issue.
Pattern of Failed Leadership
Singh further criticized the AAP government's track record, noting its failure to exert meaningful pressure on the Centre regarding crucial state matters. The Congress leader pointed to previous issues like the dissolution of the Panjab University Senate and the BBMB matter where the state government demonstrated ineffective leadership.
Additionally, Singh highlighted that the Mann administration has made no substantial effort to frame its own Dam Safety Act, further questioning the government's commitment to protecting Punjab's interests and infrastructure.
The political confrontation highlights the ongoing tension between national and regional parties over Chandigarh's status, with Congress positioning itself as the true defender of Punjab's territorial integrity against what it perceives as coordinated efforts by both BJP and AAP to undermine the state's claims.
