Congress slams Modi govt’s ‘first announce, second think’ flip-flop on Chandigarh L-G Bill
New Delhi, Nov 23 (LatestNewsX) — Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took a sharp jab at the Modi administration, calling its recent move “a FAST approach to governance – First Announce, Second Think” after the Union Home Ministry reversed course on a contentious Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at Chandigarh for the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
Ramesh posted on X that the Parliament Bulletin for the upcoming session had slated a bill to appoint a full‑time Lieutenant Governor for Chandigarh, a move that was immediately and forcefully opposed by the INC and parties in Punjab whose governor also serves as Chandigarh’s administrator. The Home Ministry now says it has no plans to present the bill in the Winter Session, a claim the MP buttressed with the bulletin screenshot.
The post has sparked a fresh political row in Punjab, where Chandigarh serves as a shared capital with Haryana. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was listed in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha bulletins on November 22, sought to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, giving the President authority to draft regulations for the Union Territory—similar to the arrangements for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and other UTs without legislatures.
In a follow‑up X comment, the Home Ministry clarified that the proposal “is still under consideration. No final decision has been taken … a suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh.” It added that there was no intention to alter Chandigarh’s governance or “traditional arrangements” with Punjab and Haryana.
The episode has revived long‑standing friction over Chandigarh, which was envisioned as Punjab’s post‑Partition capital in 1948 and later shared after 1966. With the Winter Session scheduled for 1‑19 December—just 15 working days—the opposition has criticised the compressed timetable, especially as other bills, such as an Atomic Energy Bill, await passage.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
