The political debate over the future administrative status of Chandigarh intensified on Sunday after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that a proposed constitutional amendment affecting the Union Territory is still under review and not final.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said, “The proposal only to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal.”

The ministry further stressed that the move would not alter existing arrangements or affect the balance between Punjab, Haryana and the Union government.

“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.

A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh,” it said, adding, “There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.”

However, a parliamentary bulletin dated November 21 had already listed The Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill 2025 among ten bills expected to be introduced in the upcoming session.

The entry stated that the legislation would bring Chandigarh under Article 240 — aligning it with other Union Territories without legislatures such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Puducherry “when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended.”

News of the proposed amendment drew strong objections from opposition parties in Punjab, who described it as an attempt to weaken the state’s historical claim over the city.

“We strongly oppose in the strongest terms the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill being brought by the Central Government in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament,” said Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann.

“This amendment is against the interests of Punjab. We will not allow the conspiracy being hatched by the Central Government against Punjab to succeed in any way. Chandigarh, built by razing our Punjab’s villages, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away just like that. For this, we will take whatever steps are necessary.”

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa also criticised the plan, arguing that Chandigarh was intended to function as Punjab’s capital since its creation in 1966.

“Now the Centre’s 131st Amendment move to pull Chandigarh under Article 240 is nothing short of snatching the city away from Punjab — an open attack on history, federalism, and Punjab’s rights,” he said.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal announced that the party will hold an emergency core committee meeting on Monday to devise a response, adding: “I reiterate: Punjab’s right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable.”

Amid rising political tensions, the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party maintained that the interests of the state would be protected.

“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,” said Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar.

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