Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar openly asserts Chandigarh is an integral part of the state, defying the Centre’s Article 240 proposal. We analyze this internal political rift and the implications for federalism and state rights.
Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar Chandigarh Article 240 Stance
The escalating political tension over the proposed constitutional changes to the administration of Chandigarh reached a critical point of internal party dissent, as Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar openly declared that the “sentiments of Punjab cannot be ignored” regarding the Union Territory (UT). This forceful assertion places the state unit of the ruling party directly at odds with the initial proposal from the Central Government, triggering a crucial internal political rift that forced a swift de-escalation from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Jakhar, a seasoned political figure, made it unequivocally clear that the state’s claim over Chandigarh is not merely a legal or administrative issue but one of deep regional sentiment and historical significance. “Chandigarh is just not a geographical piece. Sentiments of Punjab are attached to it. There should be no ambiguity about it,” Jakhar stated, announcing his immediate intention to seek a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to lobby for the withdrawal of the controversial bill. His firm stand—”As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first“—was a clear signal that the Punjab BJP would prioritize its state’s interests over core party loyalty on this deeply sensitive matter.
