New Gelhi, Nov. 24 -- New Delhi's attempt to calm rising political tempers in Punjab over the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill has done little to blunt the sharp, State-wide backlash, with all major parties - including the BJP's own State unit - closing ranks to defend Punjab's claim over Chandigarh.

Hours after the possibility of introducing a Bill altering the Union Territory's constitutional position triggered protests across the State, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday afternoon issued a categorical clarification that no final decision had been taken and that the Centre had "no intention" of bringing the Bill in the upcoming Winter Session.

The statement, posted on X, stressed that the proposal was only meant ...