Those present included UT officials, a few councillors and some defence personnel. Ministers, MLAs, officials, from Punjab were conspicuous by their absence. As per past practice, on Republic Day the Governor hoists the national flag in Punjab and then hosts the At Home in the evening at Raj Bhawan. Officials, politicians and people from different walks of life in Punjab and Chandigarh are invited. This year the tradition was broken and the invites were distributed just a day before Republic Day. The hosting of At Home at the guest house of Punjab Raj Bhawan was criticised even by those attending the function.

The Punjab elections were cited as the reason for the Governor skipping the event. Owing to campaigning, candidates did not wish to leave their constituencies to attend the programme. Even local MP and Union Minister Pawan Bansal skipped the event as he was campaigning.

One of the councillors who attended the programme said that the Governor should have been present on the occasion. “He seems to be more comfortable in Rajasthan than in Chandigarh. The event was held at the guest house of Raj Bhawan for the first time. Due to the absence of the Governor, the number of people who attended was also less,” he pointed out.

A former defence personnel stated that in the absence of the Administrator, the programme lost its significance. “The programme is not about having tea on Republic Day. The Governor should have been present as it is one chance to interact with him. It is no substitute to make the Adviser host the event,” he said.