A political controversy erupted in Punjab on Wednesday over the Centre’s decision to abolish the post of the Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator and replace it with the post of the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory, which is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
The announcement came through a gazette notification on January 3 by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.
Political parties in Punjab, including the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), criticised the BJP-led Centre and demanded an immediate rollback of the decision.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa of the Congress termed the development “an assault on Punjab’s rightful claim over Chandigarh” and “an attack on Punjab’s dignity and rights”.
He said, “I strongly condemn [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi government’s blatant and autocratic move to re-designate the Chandigarh Administrator’s Adviser as Chief Secretary.”
“This deliberate assault on Punjab’s rightful claim over Chandigarh exposes Modi’s agenda to weaken Punjab and marginalise Punjabis. By bypassing Punjab in this critical decision, the BJP is once again showcasing its utter disregard for federalism and its dictatorial mindset,” he added.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal warned the Central government against proceeding in the matter and accused it of “actively colluding” with the ruling AAP in the decision-making process.
Mr. Badal said that the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab is “a settled issue committed by two Prime Ministers of the country and endorsed by the Union Cabinet as well as by both Houses of the Parliament”, following the Memorandum of Settlement on Punjab in July 1985.
Senior Akali leader Daljit Singh Cheema said Chandigarh “belongs to Punjab” and demanded that the Centre reverse its decision without delay.
The AAP unit of Punjab also opposed the decision, saying it “once again exposes the anti-Punjab attitude of the Central government”.
Addressing a press conference, AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said, “The decision is an attempt to weaken Punjab’s claim over Chandigarh. The appointment of a Chief Secretary is meant for a State. Chandigarh is not a State, nor does it have a Chief Minister. Then why was there a need to appoint a Chief Secretary?”
“The people of Punjab won’t accept the decision. The Centre must withdraw it,” he added.
Published - January 09, 2025 03:17 am IST
