Chandigarh Lok Sabha Constituency

Chandigarh Lok Sabha Constituency is a parliamentary constituency in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, India. It is the only Lok Sabha constituency in Chandigarh and represents the entire city in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, the Lok Sabha.

The Chandigarh Lok Sabha Constituency was formed in 1966, and its first MP was elected in the 1967 general elections. Over the years, several prominent political leaders have represented the constituency, including Pawan Kumar Bansal of the Indian National Congress and Kirron Kher of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The constituency covers the entire Union Territory of Chandigarh and has a population of over 1.1 million. The primary languages spoken in the constituency are Hindi and Punjabi, and the economy is driven by sectors such as information technology, tourism, and government administration.

Overall, the Chandigarh Lok Sabha Constituency is an important constituency in India’s political landscape. It represents Chandigarh’s diverse and vibrant city and its residents in the national parliament.

Chandigarh is a Union Territory and is directly under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India. In the Parliament of India or Lok Sabha, one member from the Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency is elected directly by the electors of this constituency.

History and Origin:

  • The Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency is relatively young compared to others. It was established in 1967, which coincided with the creation of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
  • Before 1967, the area likely fell under different Lok Sabha constituencies of Punjab or Haryana.

Chandigarh and the Punjab Legislative Assembly (Before 1966)

Chandigarh’s story with its legislative assembly is interesting, and it boils down to one key fact:  While Chandigarh did not have its own separate Legislative Assembly before 1966, it functioned as an integral part of the Punjab state administration with its residents represented in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.

  • 1952-1966: Part of Punjab Assembly: Chandigarh was the capital of Punjab state during this period. Residents of Chandigarh were included within the Punjab State Legislative Assembly constituency and voted for representatives there. A Chief Commissioner administered the city itself.
  • Chandigarh: A City, Not a State: Unlike some Indian cities that function as states (like Delhi), Chandigarh functioned as part of a larger state structure.
  • Punjab’s Reorganization (1966): 1966 the Punjab Reorganization Act carved out the new state of Haryana from Punjab. This led to a dispute as Punjab and Haryana wanted Chandigarh as their capital.
  • Change After Punjab Reorganization: The situation changed in 1966 when Punjab was reorganized. The newly formed Haryana and Punjab claimed Chandigarh as their capital. To address this dispute, the central government made Chandigarh a Union Territory in 1966. This meant Chandigarh would no longer be part of either state and would be under the direct administration of the central government. As a result, Chandigarh did not have its legislative assembly.
  • Chandigarh Becomes a Union Territory: As a solution, the central government made Chandigarh a Union Territory in 1966. This meant it came under the direct administration of the central government and didn’t have a legislative assembly.

First Member of Parliament (MP)

Shri Srichand Goyal was an Indian politician and the first Member of Parliament (MP) to be elected from the Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency in 1967. He belonged to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), a right-wing nationalist political party that was the precursor to the modern-day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

As the first MP from Chandigarh, Shri Goyal played a crucial role in representing the city’s interests and residents in the national parliament. Although his tenure as an MP was relatively short, lasting from March 1967 to December 1970, he laid the foundation for future political leaders in Chandigarh and contributed to the city’s growth and development.

As a member of the BJS, Shri Goyal was part of a political movement that sought to promote a unified national identity and cultural values. The BJS emphasized the importance of a robust national defence, a self-reliant economy, and a decentralized political system. Although the party had limited electoral success during Shri Goyal’s time, it later evolved into the BJP, one of India’s most significant political parties.

Shri Srichand Goyal’s contributions as the first MP from Chandigarh have impacted the city’s political landscape and representation in the Indian Parliament.

The list of Members of Parliament (MP) From Chandigarh

Chandigarh has had several Members of Parliament (MPs) since 1967, representing the city in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. Some of the notable

MPs from Chandigarh include:

  • Shri Srichand Goyal (1967-1970) – Bharatiya Jana Sangh
  • Shri Amarnath Vidyalankar (1971-1977) – Indian National Congress
  • Shri Krishan Kant (1977-1980) – Janata Party
  • Shri Jagannath Kaushal (1980-1984) – Indian National Congress (I)
  • Smt. Satyawati (1984-1989) – Indian National Congress
  • Shri Satya Pal Jain (1989-1991) – Bharatiya Janata Party
  • Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal (1991-1996, 1999-2004, 2009-2014) – Indian National Congress
  • Smt. Kirron Kher (2014-2019, 2019-present) – Bharatiya Janata Part

These MPs have played important roles in representing Chandigarh’s interests in the national parliament and have contributed to the city’s development and the welfare of its residents.

Voters and Past Members of Parliament (MPs):

  • With over 10 lakh (10,00,000) electors, Chandigarh has a moderate voter base compared to some larger Indian constituencies.
  • The 74% turnout in the 2019 elections indicates a reasonably engaged electorate in Chandigarh.
  • Kirron Kher’s victory in 2019 reflects the BJP’s dominance in recent Chandigarh elections. However, past results may not always predict future outcomes.

Voting pattern of Chandigarh Parliament Seat in Past Elections

The Chandigarh Parliament seat has witnessed varying voting patterns in past elections. Historically, the constituency has been a battleground for the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In the initial elections, the INC performed strongly, with candidates like Amarnath Vidyalankar and Pawan Kumar Bansal securing victories. However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the BJP gained traction with Satya Pal Jain’s win in the 1999 election.

In the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the INC and BJP continued to dominate the political landscape in Chandigarh, with Pawan Kumar Bansal and Kirron Kher emerging as winners, respectively. In the 2019 elections, Kirron Kher retained her seat, securing a consecutive win for the BJP.

Chandigarh’s voting pattern reflects a dynamic political environment, with the INC and BJP as the primary contenders. The city’s diverse population and changing political preferences have contributed to the fluctuating electoral outcomes in past elections.

Chandigarh Voter Culture:

  • Chandigarh’s planned layout and modern architecture starkly contrast the rich Punjabi cultural heritage it embodies.
  • The constituency reflects this blend. Local festivals like Lohri and Baisakhi and major Hindu festivals like Diwali and Holi are widely celebrated.
  • This mix of tradition and modernity is a defining characteristic of Chandigarh.

Future Trends (2024):

The 2024 election is likely to be influenced by several factors:

  • Performance of Kirron Kher (BJP): Her performance in the current term and campaign strategy will be crucial for BJP’s re-election bid.
  • Opposition Strategies: How other parties like INC and AAP strategize and mobilize their voter base will be significant.
  • National Issues: Political issues and debates can significantly impact local voting preferences. Analyzing national trends can provide clues for potential local talking points.

Current M.P.: Kirron Kher’s
Constituency: Chandigarh(Chandigarh )
Party Name: BJP