The proposal at the heart of the dispute seeks to align Chandigarh with other Union territories without legislatures by enabling the President to make regulations under Article 240, thereby potentially introducing a lieutenant-governor to administer the city. Currently, the Governor of Punjab also serves as Administrator of Chandigarh, which is shared as a capital with neighbouring Haryana. According to notices issued by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Bill—titled the Constitution Bill, 2025—is expected to be introduced in Parliament’s winter session.
Jakhar’s remarks mark a clear distancing from the national BJP’s initiative, reflecting apprehensions over how the proposal is being portrayed in the state. He said the party in Punjab will stand “firmly with the interests of the state whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab” and pledged to hold talks with the Centre to resolve the “confusion” that has arisen. His announcement that the state BJP will press for the Bill’s withdrawal underscores mounting political pressure.
Opposition parties have seized on the proposal as an attack on the state’s rights. Bhagwant Mann, Punjab’s chief minister, decried it as a “grave injustice” and accused the central government of conspiring to “snatch” the capital city. The Aam Aadmi Party and Indian National Congress state leadership echoed the sentiment, warning of “serious repercussions” and rejecting any dilution of the state’s claim over Chandigarh.
On its part, the Union home ministry issued a statement emphasising that no final decision has been taken and that the proposal—if implemented—would not alter Chandigarh’s existing governance structure or its traditional relationship with the state. The statement characterised the amendment as aimed at simplifying the process of central legislation for Chandigarh rather than restructuring its administration.
Across Punjab, the reaction has been swift and unified. The Shiromani Akali Dal described the amendment as “a blatant attack on the federal structure,” and urged mobilisation against the Bill in Parliament. Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal warned that the proposal would “completely remove” the state’s rights over Chandigarh. Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring demanded a public stance from the BJP in Punjab, challenging whether the state unit aligned with the Centre or with the state’s interests.
Jakhar’s call for dialogue represents a significant moment for his party in Punjab. While the national leadership may view the move as an administrative realignment, the backlash in the state highlights how regional sensitivities and identity issues continue to shape political fault-lines. For the BJP in Punjab, the balancing act between central policies and regional sentiment is now clearly under strain.