Center Grants Land for New Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh, Punjab Leaders Protest

Punjab Leaders Unite in Opposition

The Centre's environmental clearance for exchanging land with Chandigarh to build a new Haryana Assembly has met with fierce resistance from Punjab's political landscape. In an unusual move, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar has openly challenged his own party's decision at the national level, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue. 

The Land Exchange Deal

According to former Haryana Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, the deal involves exchanging 12 acres of land in Sector 2, Panchkula, for a 10-acre plot in Chandigarh. The proposed site for the new Assembly building is strategically located near the Chandigarh railway station light point, close to IT Park road.

Constitutional Questions Arise

Opposition parties, including AAP, Congress, and SAD, have labeled the move as unconstitutional. They argue that it violates the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966. SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema emphasized that only Parliament has the authority to alter state boundaries. 

Haryana Defends the Decision

Haryana's government strongly supports the development, with Energy Minister Anil Vij pointing to practical needs. He noted that the current Assembly space won't be sufficient after the next delimitation, when the number of MLAs is expected to increase from 90 to 120.

The controversy has deeper roots in the long-standing dispute over Chandigarh's status. Punjab claims the city as its capital, citing historical reasons and the fact that 22 villages from Kharar were displaced to build it. However, Haryana maintains its right to expand its administrative infrastructure in the shared capital.