Punjab AAP and Opposition Parties Criticise Centre's Land Allotment for Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh

The reported decision by the central government to allocate 10 acres of land in Chandigarh to Haryana for building its assembly has sparked criticism from Punjab's ruling AAP and opposition parties. The AAP accused the BJP-led Centre of conspiring against Punjab, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) labelled the move unconstitutional. The Congress also criticised the decision, calling it a strategy to undermine Punjab's rightful claim over its capital.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has reportedly given environmental clearance for this land exchange. Haryana offered 12 acres in Panchkula in return for 10 acres near IT Park Road in Chandigarh. Currently, Punjab and Haryana share the Vidhan Sabha complex located next to the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, which serves as the joint capital for both states.

Political Reactions to Land Allocation

Punjab AAP spokesperson Neel Garg expressed strong opposition, stating that Chandigarh is deeply connected to Punjabis' emotions. "The BJP-led central government is conspiring against Punjab," he charged. Garg emphasised that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab as it was built by displacing 22 villages from Kharar and is linked politically, socially, economically, and culturally to Punjab.

Garg accused the BJP government of deliberately creating a dispute with its environmental clearance. "The people of Punjab will never tolerate this," he said. He reminded that when Haryana was carved out of Punjab, there was a promise that Chandigarh would eventually be handed over to Punjab after Haryana developed its own capital.

Legal Concerns and Historical Context

The SAD argued that allocating land to Haryana in Chandigarh would violate Article 3, which states only Parliament can change state boundaries. Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to rescind the decision, asserting it violates the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966. He claimed the Centre's decision aims to end Punjab's right over Chandigarh.

Cheema also accused AAP of colluding with Haryana and the central government. He alleged that AAP did not object when Home Minister Amit Shah announced this at a North Zone Council meeting in 2022. "It is clear that the Haryana government is colluding with the Centre against Punjab," he added.

Congress Criticises Centre's Decision

Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa accused the Centre of advancing a divisive agenda. "BJP's decision to allot land in Chandigarh for Haryana's assembly is a calculated move to undermine Punjab's rightful claim over its capital," he stated. Bajwa emphasised that this issue goes beyond land; it's about protecting Punjab's integrity and historical rights.

Bajwa further criticised BJP for politically and morally encroaching on Punjab's territory, disregarding Punjabis' sentiments and commitments made to their state. "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, and we will stand firm against any attempt to dilute our claim," Bajwa declared in a post on X.

The controversy surrounding this land allocation highlights ongoing tensions between Punjab and Haryana over Chandigarh. As political leaders voice their concerns, the situation remains tense with calls for reconsideration of the decision.