In a letter written to the PM, Badal emphasised that “Punjab is absolutely clear that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and needs to be transferred to the state immediately.” He added that the people of Punjab expected the Prime Minister to use his good offices to resolve the long-standing issue.

Badal used strong words to voice the state’s position on the issue.

“The people of Punjab have never compromised when denied their legitimate rights. In order to get Chandigarh transferred to the state, they were forced to launch mass agitations, as a result of which thousands of Punjabis had to court arrests. The aspirations and sentiments of all Punjabis are deeply attached to the issue right from the day the city was conceived,” he wrote.

The CM warned “the people of Punjab will not permit any change in the administrative structure of Chandigarh to the detriment of the interests and claims of Punjab. Any such effort will cause unrest in the minds of Punjabis and deeply hurt their sentiments.”

He added that the reported move of the UT Administration violated not only the “specific position taken by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on the issue but also related provisions in the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966.”

“I am amazed and shocked to learn that efforts are afoot to turn Chandigarh into a perpetual Union Territory,” stated Badal.

Meanwhile, the CM’s Media Advisor, Harcharan Bains, said Badal will take up the matter with the PM at their next meeting. “The move has deeply hurt Badal and he views it as an unreasonable, unjustified and eminently avoidable step,” he said.

Badal’s “firm and unequivocal stand” came following reports that the UT was seeking to change the present process of filling the posts of Principal Medical Officer-cum-Director, Health Services and Joint Principal Medical Officer-cum-Medical Superintendent in Chandigarh by transfer on deputation from amongst the officers from the Punjab or Haryana state governments.