The Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab criticized the decision to allocate land to Haryana for constructing the assembly building in Chandigarh on Friday. The Aam Aadmi Party claims that Chandigarh is a part of Punjab. Haryana should not receive any land at all to construct the assembly building here. On Friday, a group of AAP members met with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and put forward this request.
The Aam Aadmi Party and opposition parties in Punjab are upset about the approval of land allotment in Chandigarh for Haryana. They have condemned the purported decision by the central government to allocate 10 acres of land to Haryana. Simultaneously, there was a fiery debate between the governing factions of Punjab and Haryana regarding this matter. Haryana became an independent state in 1966.
Following their encounter with Kataria, the AAP team, headed by Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema, informed the press that Chandigarh is part of Punjab and they will not relinquish any portion of it. Punjab has a claim to Chandigarh and we will defend our rights. He mentioned that the group has turned in a written statement to the governor concerning this matter.
The move was criticized by them. Simultaneously, a heated debate occurred between the governing factions of Punjab and Haryana regarding this matter. Haryana became an independent state in 1966.
Following their meeting with Kataria, the AAP delegation, led by Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema, informed reporters, “Punjab rightfully owns Chandigarh and we will not cede any territory…” Punjab rightfully claims ownership of Chandigarh and will actively advocate for their rightful claim. He mentioned that the delegation has turned in a memo to the governor regarding this issue. It was also mentioned that Haryana should not be allocated any land.
Governor Kataria serves as the administrator of Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, in addition to his duties. According to Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Chandigarh is included in Punjab. The city is the capital of Punjab. Haryana is not permitted to construct a Vidhan Sabha building in Chandigarh. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of BJP-led Haryana, Naib Singh Saini, has cautioned the Aam Aadmi Party against engaging in petty politics regarding this matter.
Haryana’s Chief Minister criticized AAP and advised them to avoid engaging in ‘low-quality politics’ on this matter. He stated that Chandigarh belongs to both Haryana and Punjab. Chandigarh is also under the jurisdiction of Haryana. Saini has also requested the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government to provide SYL water to Haryana. Punjab minister Cheema questions why Haryana has not been able to construct its capital in 60 years.
Upon meeting with the Governor, the AAP leader mentioned that it was established when Haryana became an independent state that they would establish their own capital and assembly. Haryana has been unable to establish its own capital or set up a state assembly for 60 years. Currently, they are asserting their ownership of the capital of Punjab. This is not something they should do. We suggest to them why they shouldn’t establish their headquarters in Panchkula.
The Punjab minister suggested that Haryana ought to designate Panchkula as its capital, located just a kilometer away from the proposed site for the assembly building in Chandigarh. It is advisable for them to construct their assembly in Panchkula. Cheema mentioned that this matter concerns the feelings of three crore individuals in Punjab and asserted that Chandigarh is a part of Punjab. Simultaneously, the Chief Minister of Haryana has accused AAP leaders of engaging in low-quality political tactics.
CM Saini stated that Chandigarh belongs to both Haryana and Punjab. I want to inform the Punjab leaders that Haryana is like a younger sibling to Punjab. What is the reason for ruining the bond of brotherhood? He stated that, first and foremost, they halted our Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) water for their political interests. The citizens of Punjab are like family to us, and they too desire for Haryana to receive water. However, the Aam Aadmi Party leaders engage in low-level political tactics.
In April 2022, shortly after the AAP took control in Punjab, the Assembly approved a resolution. It called for the swift handover of Chandigarh from the Union Territory to Punjab, which is governed by AAP. A couple of days later, the Haryana Assembly also approved a resolution. Concern was raised regarding the Punjab Assembly’s resolution claiming ownership of Chandigarh as a Union Territory.