In a significant political development, Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sunil Jakhar has firmly stated that the union territory of Chandigarh is an inseparable part of Punjab. This assurance comes amidst a growing controversy triggered by the BJP-led Central government's proposal to bring Chandigarh under the direct control of the Centre through a constitutional amendment.
Jakhar's Firm Stance on Punjab's Interests
Sunil Jakhar took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, November 23, 2025, to address the escalating situation. He declared that the Punjab unit of the BJP stands resolutely with the state's interests, whether concerning Chandigarh or its water rights. Jakhar, emphasizing his identity as a Punjabi, gave his assurance that for him and his party, Punjab always comes first. He suggested that any confusion or doubt created regarding the status of Chandigarh should and would be resolved through discussions with the government.
The Central Government's Proposed Bill
The context for Jakhar's statement is a proposed legislation from the Central government. The Centre plans to introduce The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025. This Bill aims to include Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Indian Constitution.
This constitutional provision allows the President of India to appoint an administrator, typically a Lieutenant Governor, to govern a union territory directly. Currently, the Governor of Punjab holds the additional charge as the Administrator of Chandigarh. If the Bill is passed, Chandigarh would be aligned with other union territories without legislatures, such as:
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Puducherry (when its assembly is dissolved)
Political Reactions and Implications
The proposed move has been met with strong opposition from other major political parties in Punjab. Both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to weaken Punjab's legitimate claim over its joint capital city, which it shares with the neighboring state of Haryana.
They perceive the plan to appoint a separate Lieutenant Governor as a step that would dilute the state's administrative connection and historical rights over Chandigarh. Jakhar's statement is seen as an effort to manage the political fallout within Punjab and reassure the public of the state BJP's commitment to protecting regional interests, even when they appear to conflict with the central leadership's actions. The stage is set for a heated parliamentary debate when the Winter session commences.
