BJP Slams Kejriwal’s “Misleading” Claims on Chandigarh’s Status
Dr. Dharinder Tayal accuses AAP of using the Union Territory as a political tool while highlighting the party’s internal contradictions regarding the city’s future. The BJP Chandigarh chapter issued a sharp rebuttal against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday. Chief Spokesperson Dr. Dharinder Tayal labeled Kejriwal’s recent allegations about the city’s administrative future as “completely misleading.” Kejriwal previously alleged that the BJP intended to “snatch” Chandigarh from Punjab to benefit Haryana. However, Tayal dismissed these claims as politically motivated maneuvers. He emphasized that Chandigarh maintains a unique constitutional identity as a Union Territory that no party can simply “barter away.” Furthermore, Tayal argued that the city should never serve as a political bargaining chip during state elections. He stated, “Chandigarh is not an object to be ‘snatched’ or ‘given.’ It is a Union Territory with its own constitutional status and a unique identity.” Consequently, he urged AAP leadership to stop manufacturing panic among residents for electoral gains. Meanwhile, the BJP highlighted historical inconsistencies within AAP’s own ranks to expose alleged hypocrisy. Specifically, Tayal cited a proposal from April 5, 2022, made by AAP’s then Haryana in-charge, Sushil Gupta. At that time, the Rajya Sabha MP suggested dividing Chandigarh between Punjab and Haryana. In addition to this proposal, Gupta had suggested financial compensation for both states. Therefore, the BJP questions which version of AAP the public should believe. This contradiction suggests that the party views the Chandigarh status dispute through a lens of convenience rather than principle. Moreover, Tayal demanded immediate clarity from Kejriwal regarding these conflicting stances. He asked whether the party still supports the division of the city as proposed by its senior leaders. He noted that the sentiments of the city’s residents deserve more respect than selective political outrage. Ultimately, the BJP maintains that constitutional reality governs Chandigarh’s status. The spokesperson concluded that the region deserves honesty instead of fabricated narratives. As a result, the party called on AAP to focus on governance rather than spreading misinformation.