After uproar, Centre says no intention to bring Bill on Chandigarh in winter session

A day after the uproar across Punjab over the Centre's legislative proposal to bracket Chandigarh with the Union Territories (UTs) administered directly by Lieutenant Governors appointed by the President, the BJP-led NDA government on Sunday retracted its plan to bring the contentious Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill-2025 in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.As the storm raised by the listing of the Bill spread, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an official statement saying, "The Centre has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming winter session of Parliament."

The ministry, however, admitted considering a proposal on Chandigarh, noting that it was meant only to simplify the Centre's law-making process for the UT and not to alter Chandigarh's governance structure.

The Congress slammed the Centre for failing to "altogether withdraw its plans". Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring told The Tribune that the Centre's intentions remained suspect as it had only deferred the plan and not junked it.

"What's the guarantee the Bill won't be brought in the subsequent sessions," asked Warring, adding that Congress MPs from Punjab would vehemently oppose the move in the winter session scheduled from December 1 to 19.

The MHA, meanwhile, said, "The proposal is only to simplify the law-making process for Chandigarh and it is still under consideration with the Central government. No final decision has been taken on it."

It added that the proposal in no way sought to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor did it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab or Haryana.

"A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on the matter. The Centre has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming winter session," said the ministry.

The statement followed a virtual urgent meeting of top Punjab and central BJP brass held on Sunday morning to discuss the aftermath of the proposed Bill.

The meeting, attended from the Centre by BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, saw all Punjab BJP core committee members participating, including state chief Sunil Jakhar, BJP organisation secretary for Punjab and RSS hand Mantri Srinivasulu and Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma.

The Tribune has learnt that the meeting broadly agreed that the proposed Bill be reconsidered. This despite inputs from central BJP leaders that the Bill didn't undermine Punjab's interests nor did it alter Chandigarh's present administrative structure.

Most Punjab leaders felt negative perceptions among Punjabis around the Bill would outweigh Centre's motives no matter how rightful and well intentioned.

After the meeting, Jakhar told The Tribune that BJP leaders would meet Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the matter and press Punjab's case.

He said the sentiments of Punjab could not be ignored to facilitate administrative requirements of Chandigarh.

"For Punjab, Chandigarh is not a piece of geography. Our emotions are tied to the city. Any such attempt should be reconsidered and withdrawn. We have sought time with the Centre and will press for the Bill to be reconsidered and withdrawn in line with the sentiments of Punjab," Jakhar said. Later, he posted on X, "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."

The Bill in question immediately led to fears that the bracketing of Chandigarh with UTs like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Puducherry could mean a transfer of administrative control from the Punjab Governor to an L-G appointed by the President, as was the case with the other UTs.

Since the terrorism days of 1984, the Punjab Governor has served as the Chandigarh Administrator.

The Bill proposed to include the UT of Chandigarh in Article 240 of the Constitution, in alignment with other UTs without legislatures. Article 240 deals with the power of the President to make regulations for the UTs covered under the provision.

This is the second controversial move pertaining to Punjab which the Centre has withdrawn over the past fortnight.

On November 8, the Ministry of Education had withdrawn a controversial notification that sought to alter the governance structure of Panjab University, an inter-state body corporate over which Punjab claims rights.

Don't trust govt: Cong

• Cong says "no trust in government, what's the guarantee it won't bring the Bill in subsequent sessions of Parliament"

• The government had listed the now-deferred Bill in the parliamentary bulletin for the winter session under the head "Bill for introduction, discussion and passing"