Parliament is heading into a tense winter session. The Union Government planned to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, starting December 1. The proposal immediately sparked opposition from Punjab leaders, including AAP, Congress’ Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

However, the Centre later clarified that it has “no intention” of changing Chandigarh’s administration. This statement eased some of the immediate political tension.

What the 131st Amendment Bill Proposes

The bill aims to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. This would classify Chandigarh like other Union Territories without legislatures. The President could then frame regulations for the city. Currently, Article 240 covers UTs such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry.

The bill also sets rules for removing a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any Minister facing serious criminal charges. It applies to central and state governments, and UTs like Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir.

A Minister will be removed if:

• They face an offense punishable by five or more years in prison.

• They remain in custody for 30 consecutive days.

At the center, the President removes the Minister on the Prime Minister’s advice. If the Prime Minister does not advise by the 31st day, the Minister automatically loses office. At the state level, Governors act on the Chief Minister’s advice. In Delhi, the President acts on the Chief Minister’s advice.

Ministers removed under this law can be reappointed after release from custody.

Implications for Chandigarh

If passed, the bill would allow the President to frame regulations for Chandigarh. This could lead to appointing a lieutenant governor to manage the city. Currently, Punjab’s governor serves as Chandigarh’s administrator. Experts say this change would reduce Punjab’s direct control over its capital.

Punjab Leaders Criticize the Move

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly opposed the bill. He said, “This amendment is against the interests of Punjab. We will not allow the conspiracy being hatched by the Central Government against Punjab to succeed. Chandigarh, built by razing our Punjab's villages, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away. For this, we will take whatever steps are necessary.”

Congress’ Punjab chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called the bill “totally uncalled for” and warned of “serious repercussions.”

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “The bill is against the interest of Punjab. It goes back on all commitments made to Punjab regarding Chandigarh. The previous Congress governments discriminated against Punjab and deprived us of our capital. This Bill removes whatever little administrative control Punjab still has and would permanently end Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh.”