Chandigarh is Punjab's soul, we will not allow the Centre’s conspiracy to snatch it under the guise of Article 240 to succeed: Kuldeep Dhaliwal

Amritsar/Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today issued a stern warning to the BJP-led central government, asking it to stop testing Punjab’s patience. Dhaliwal said that the Centre is preparing to bring the 131st Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha session starting from December 1, with the intention of bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. The motive behind this is to permanently separate Chandigarh from Punjab. But we will never allow the BJP government at the Centre to succeed in this ploy.

Addressing the media, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that Chandigarh is built on our land, on the lands of our farmers and villages that were uprooted. It is not just a city; it is the soul of Punjab. First, the Congress did not hand over Chandigarh to us, and now the BJP is trying to snatch it completely. He said clearly that Chandigarh was, is, and will always remain Punjab’s. Haryana should build its own separate capital and stop claiming ownership over our land.

Issuing a warning to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Dhaliwal said that they should not forget the history of Punjabis. He said, “Modi ji, you have seen in recent years what the farmers of Punjab are capable of. Their struggle forced your government to bow down. If any attempt is made to take Chandigarh away from Punjab, then under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Aam Aadmi Party will fight on every front, from Parliament to the streets.”

He also cornered Punjab BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar, Captain Amarinder Singh, and Manpreet Badal. Dhaliwal asked why those who claim to be big leaders of Punjab are silent today on this attack on Punjab’s identity. “Are they partners in this betrayal against Punjab?” he questioned.

Appealing to all Punjabis, Dhaliwal said that the time has come for us to rise above politics, caste, and religion and unite. “Today our children are fighting for the university, tomorrow we will have to fight for our capital. We will not allow even an inch of our land or our pride to be sold to the Centre at any cost. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, and we will not allow anyone to cast an evil eye on it.