Chandigarh's Fate Hangs in Balance: Centre Backtracks on Controversial Amendment Bill

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The Union Government's plan to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the upcoming Parliament session has sparked a heated debate. Initially, the bill aimed to include Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would have enabled the President to frame regulations for the city, similar to other Union Territories without their own legislatures. However, in a surprising U-turn, the Centre has stated that it has 'no intention' to alter Chandigarh's administration. The move has been met with relief from the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, as well as other local leaders, including Congress' Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 would have brought Chandigarh into the same category as other Union Territories, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry. This would have given the President the power to frame regulations for Chandigarh, potentially paving the way for the appointment of a lieutenant governor to run the city. Currently, the Punjab governor functions as Chandigarh's administrator, a system that would be significantly altered if the bill were to pass. Punjab's chief minister, Bhagwant Mann, has strongly opposed the move, accusing the Centre of trying to 'take away' Punjab's capital. The Centre's decision to backtrack on the bill has been welcomed by local leaders, who view it as a victory for Punjab's interests. However, the controversy surrounding the bill highlights the ongoing tensions between the Centre and Punjab over the administration of Chandigarh, a city that is shared by both states.