Centre's Article 240 Move Sparks Fury: Chandigarh's Future Hangs in Balance

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A contentious issue has ignited in the Indian political sphere as the central government plans to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. This move would grant the President the authority to issue direct regulations for the Union Territory, effectively bypassing the current governance structure. Currently, Chandigarh is overseen by the Punjab Governor, as the city serves as the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana. The government intends to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 during the Winter Session, starting December 1. The ruling AAP, Congress, and Akali Dal have strongly opposed this proposal, labeling it unfair to Punjab. They argue that Chandigarh rightfully belongs to the state and that this move would be an attack on Punjab's identity. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the Centre's step, accusing it of trying to 'take away' Punjab's capital. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal has also called the move an attack on Punjab's sovereignty, stating that Punjabis have never accepted authoritarian decisions. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Akali Dal, have vowed to resist this move, warning of serious consequences if it comes to fruition. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has warned that the proposed amendment would have a 'serious fallout' in Punjab. In a surprising twist, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar has assured that Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab and that the 'confusion' surrounding the Union Territory will be cleared soon. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the future of Chandigarh hangs in the balance, and the people of Punjab are watching closely to see how this controversy unfolds.