A decision by the Central Government to allocate land for a new Haryana state assembly building in Chandigarh has ignited rare political unity in Punjab, with leaders across party lines standing firmly against the move. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have all condemned the decision, viewing it as a threat to Punjab’s historic claim to Chandigarh.
The recent environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for the transfer of 12 acres to the Chandigarh Administration, in exchange for land Haryana offered in Panchkula, has paved the way for an additional legislative complex for Haryana. Leaders in Punjab, however, view this development as a sensitive issue, as it touches on the state’s symbolic and administrative rights over Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Unified Opposition across Parties
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Thursday voiced his opposition, taking to social media to call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to retract the decision. In a strongly-worded post, Jakhar emphasized the emotional attachment Punjabis have to Chandigarh, urging the Prime Minister to reconsider for the sake of Punjab’s social and cultural identity. “This decision emotionally hurts Punjabis,” Jakhar remarked, adding, “Chandigarh is not just land; it’s the heart of Punjab. Any move to provide land to Haryana for an assembly will only damage the Prime Minister’s goodwill efforts towards Punjab.”
Jakhar also criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, suggesting that Mann’s position at a recent North Zonal Council meeting in Jaipur weakened Punjab’s claim. At the meeting, Mann reportedly sought land for Punjab’s legislative complex if Haryana’s request was approved, a move Jakhar claims “stamped approval” on Haryana’s demands. Jakhar contended that a clear opposition should have been expressed rather than an implied endorsement.
Cong Terms Move as Encroachment on Punjab’s Rights
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa described the Centre’s decision as an affront to Punjab’s rights. He underscored that Chandigarh, built on land taken from Punjab, is integral to the state’s identity. “This decision is a direct attack on Punjab’s autonomy,” he said, noting that any move to establish a separate legislative space for Haryana disrupts Punjab’s longstanding connection to Chandigarh. “The Union Government has continually disregarded Punjab’s autonomy, and we will not stand for this decision.”
Bajwa, in a heartfelt letter to the Prime Minister, called on him to honour Punjab’s long-standing claim over Chandigarh as its exclusive capital. He urged him to respect promises made to Punjab and recognize Chandigarh’s intended role as the state’s sole capital.
He argued that shared administrative controls and recent territorial allocations, such as land granted for Haryana's Vidhan Sabha, have weakened Punjab’s rightful custodianship over the city. Bajwa expressed that each decision undermining Punjab’s exclusive claim has stirred deep concern among Punjabis, diminishing trust in federal commitments. He appealed to Modi’s “sense of justice” to restore Punjab’s historical claim, adding that such an action would renew the state's faith in the central government.
“Recognizing Chandigarh as Punjab’s capital would honour the state’s legacy and reaffirm mutual respect,” Bajwa wrote, urging Modi to uphold the central promises made to Punjab and its people.
AAP Challenges Haryana’s Need for a Legislative Space in Chandigarh
Joining the chorus, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned the logic behind Haryana’s assembly being built in Chandigarh when 12 acres of land are already being offered in Panchkula. “If Haryana has land available in Panchkula, why can’t they build there instead?” asked AAP MLA and former Minister Anmol Gagan Maan. Reiterating the historical context, Anmol Gagan highlighted that when Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966, an understanding was established that Chandigarh would remain a Union Territory only until Haryana built its own capital.
“Fifty-eight years have passed, and Chandigarh has yet to be transferred to Punjab. This land belongs to Punjab, as it was developed on 22 villages of Punjab,” Maan argued, adding that Punjab would not tolerate any deviation from this promise.
SAD Raises Constitutional Concerns
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a prominent political force in Punjab, has echoed these concerns. Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema argued that the decision contradicted the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, labeling it “illegal, unconstitutional, and a grave violation”. He cautioned that SAD will resist any attempts to alter Chandigarh’s status.
“Chandigarh must be transferred to Punjab. If Haryana requires a legislative complex, it should be located within its own state boundaries,” Cheema stated, warning that this decision may go down as another betrayal of Punjab by the Centre.
Cheema urged leaders from all Punjab-based parties to take a united stance, noting that this issue transcends party affiliations. SAD has called for a broader coalition to prevent Haryana’s assembly plans in Chandigarh, advocating for all political parties to “save Punjab’s rightful capital.”
Current Status
Currently, Punjab and Haryana share the Secretariat and Assembly building in Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex, with a 60:40 ratio favouring Punjab. The Central Government’s recent decision, however, has stirred deep-seated concerns, as any concession to Haryana’s demands in Chandigarh is perceived by many in Punjab as weakening the state’s historical claim to the Union Territory.
The issue continues to draw strong public reactions across Punjab, highlighting the region’s collective sentiment. Political analysts observed that this united front by Punjab’s leaders may have lasting effects on the Centre’s decision. With opposition from key political stakeholders in Punjab growing stronger, this controversy is set to remain at the forefront of Punjab-Haryana relations for the foreseeable future.
