Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney was among the first to raise concerns against this move.

Punjab’s Capital at Stake: 131st Amendment Bill Could Shift Chandigarh to LG Rule

The Union Government has listed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, for introduction in the Parliament’s upcoming winter session. This bill seeks to appoint a Lieutenant Governor for Chandigarh, which will bring the Union Territory under Article 240 of the Constitution in line with other Union Territories without legislatures, such as Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

Punjab politicians and leaders have reacted sharply, and they see it as a direct threat to the state’s historical and administrative claim over its capital. Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney was among the first to raise concerns against this move. He urged all Punjab MPs, irrespective of party affiliation, to call upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to oppose the Bill. Sahney said, “Chandigarh is currently administered by the Punjab Governor. With the new law, it is likely to be administered by an independent administrator. Punjab’s claims on Chandigarh have historical significance.” He recalled that Chandigarh was made Punjab’s capital after Partition when Lahore became part of Pakistan.

“Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal” described the proposed amendment as a “betrayal and discrimination against brave Punjabis.” He cautioned that the Bill seeks to permanently remove Chandigarh from Punjab’s political and administrative domain; it undermines federalism and Punjab’s constitutional and historical rights. He emphasised the Centre’s past commitments, including the Rajiv–Longowal Accord, which promised the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, and expressed frustration over decades of non-implementation.

Badal also highlighted the administrative measures that he said diluted Punjab’s influence, which include the appointment of AGMUT cadre officers in key positions, disregarding the 60:40 employee posting ratio between Punjab and Haryana, and reducing Punjab’s sway over Panjab University. He added that “Punjabis feel betrayed and discriminated against, as the Centre is ignoring Punjab’s rightful claim over its capital and pushing a system that places Chandigarh solely under Union administration.” 

This controversy followed after a recent Central Government’s withdrawal of a notification on Panjab University’s governance structure a few days back that reflects ongoing tensions over Punjab’s autonomy and control. The Bill has now set the stage for a heated debate, with political, historical, and constitutional implications that could shape Punjab’s future relationship with its long-cherished capital.