Political parties in Punjab have raised concerns about a proposal by the Union government to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would allow the appointment of a lieutenant governor and give the president powers to issue regulations for the Union Territory, The Indian Express reported.

The 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2025, listed for introduction in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, seeks to align Chandigarh with Union Territories that do not have legislatures, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry when its Assembly is dissolved or suspended.

At present, the Punjab governor also serves as the administrator of Chandigarh.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday said that the Union government “has no intention of introducing any bill to this effect” in the upcoming Parliament session.

The ministry said that the proposal only intends to “simplify the Central government’s law-making process” for Chandigarh and that “no final decision” had been taken.

“The proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab or Haryana,” the home ministry added.

The Punjab units of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Opposition Congress have argued that including Chandigarh under Article 240 could weaken the state’s long-standing claim over the city, which it shares with Haryana as a joint capital.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that he strongly opposes the bill as it is against the interests of his state. He also warned that Punjab would resist any attempt to change Chandigarh’s status.

“Chandigarh, built by razing our Punjab's villages, belongs solely to Punjab,” Mann said on social media. “We will not let our right slip away just like that. For this, we will take whatever steps are necessary.”

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said that the bill could pave the way for an independent administrator in Chandigarh.

“Punjab’s claims on Chandigarh have historical significance,” The Tribune quoted him as saying. “Chandigarh was made capital of Punjab after the Partition as Lahore went to Pakistan.”

He urged MPs from all parties to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey their concerns about the proposal.

The Congress’ Punjab chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring stated that Chandigarh belonged to Punjab and warned of “serious repercussions” if the Union government altered its status, The Indian Express reported.

Warring said that successive governments at the Centre have reiterated that Chandigarh belongs exclusively to Punjab “and delay in getting it transferred to its parent state in no way weakens Punjab’s case and cause”.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar also stated that Chandigarh “is an integral part of Punjab”.

“Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government,” he said on social media. “As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first.”