Chandigarh, January 10
An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) delegation met with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria today to express their strong opposition to the central government’s appointment of a Chief Secretary in Chandigarh, instead of an Advisor. The delegation argued that this move reflects the Centre’s discriminatory attitude towards Punjab and urged the Governor to intervene.
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The AAP delegation included state president Aman Arora, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Harbhajan Singh ETO, and Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with AAP leaders Dr. Sunny Ahluwalia, Deepak Bali, Neel Garg, Govinder Mittal, Parminder Goldy, and Ferry Sofat.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Aman Arora stated that appointing a Chief Secretary is a clear indication of the Centre’s “anti-Punjab mindset” and an attempt to undermine Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh. He reiterated the party’s firm opposition to this decision.
Arora emphasized Chandigarh’s historical, political, and social ties to Punjab, noting that the city was built on land acquired from 27 Punjabi villages. He reminded that Chandigarh’s Union Territory status was intended to be temporary at the time of partition and cited the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord, which stipulated Chandigarh’s transfer to Punjab within five years—a commitment that remains unfulfilled.
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Arora questioned the BJP-led central government’s “unfair” treatment of Punjab and criticized both the BJP and Congress for failing to resolve the issue during their respective tenures at the Centre.
The Governor assured the delegation that he would convey their concerns and the concerns of the people of Punjab to the central government and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Cheema Accuses Centre of Targeting Punjab’s Mandi System
Responding to media queries, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly condemned the central government’s “anti-farmer” policies. He alleged that the Centre is implementing policies designed to dismantle Punjab’s robust mandi system, the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy.
Cheema recalled Punjab’s farmers’ successful struggle against the three controversial farm laws introduced by the BJP. He accused the Centre of attempting to dismantle the mandis to benefit private corporations, which he believes would exploit farmers. “When the mandi system is dismantled, large corporates, through private market, will loot our farmers,” he asserted.
Cheema praised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s proactive steps to protect the interests of Punjab’s farmers by consulting with agricultural leaders and rejecting harmful policies. He reaffirmed the AAP’s commitment to opposing any central government policies detrimental to farmers.
