Overview
- An MHA statement says the proposal to place Chandigarh under Article 240 remains under consideration, with no final decision and no bill planned for the upcoming Parliament session.
- The ministry added that the idea is to simplify lawmaking for the Union Territory and that it does not seek to alter governance arrangements or traditional ties with Punjab and Haryana, promising consultations with stakeholders.
- The listed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill would bring Chandigarh under Article 240, empowering the President to make regulations and potentially enabling an independent administrator in place of the Punjab governor’s charge.
- Leaders from AAP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal condemned the listing and pledged to resist any move they say weakens Punjab’s claim to the city, with calls for a united front in Parliament.
- Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar urged resolution in talks while reaffirming Punjab’s interests, as historical sensitivities persist over Chandigarh’s shared-capital status, a 1970 transfer assurance and a 2016 administrator attempt that was withdrawn.