Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
BJP Punjab President Jakhar breaks silence as storm grows over Centre’s 131st Amendment Bill
Sunil Jakhar reassures Punjab: “Chandigarh Is Ours”
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 23, 2025: Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar sought to calm rising tensions on Sunday, asserting that Chandigarh “is an integral part of Punjab,” even as the Centre’s move to bring the Union Territory under Article 240 sparked a fierce political backlash across the state.
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on Sunday reaffirmed the party’s commitment to Punjab’s interests amid a growing controversy over Chandigarh’s constitutional status.
“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 will be resolved in consultation with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first,” Jakhar said.
His remarks come at a time when the Central Government plans to table the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament, seeking to place Chandigarh under Article 240, similar to other Union Territories such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
The move has ignited a political storm in Punjab, uniting parties across the spectrum—from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party to the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal—in strong opposition.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a post on X, condemned the amendment, calling it “a conspiracy being hatched by the central government against Punjab.” He added, “Only Punjab has the right over Chandigarh, which was built by destroying the villages of our Punjab. We will not give up our rights and will take whatever steps necessary.”