Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has proved his critics right by announcing plans on an electoral alliance with the BJP. Singh has long been accused of having tacit understanding with the BJP even when he was the chief minister of Punjab as a Congress leader.
Singh said, “The battle for Punjab’s future is on. Will soon announce the launch of my own political party to serve the interests of Punjab & its people, including our farmers who’ve been fighting for their survival for over a year.”
He added, “‘Hopeful of a seat arrangement with @BJP4India in 2022 Punjab Assembly polls if #FarmersProtest is resolved in farmers’ interest. Also looking at alliance with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups, particularly Dhindsa & Brahmpura factions.”
Singh, according to his media advisor Raveen Thukral, concluded, “I will not rest till I can secure the future of my people and my state. Punjab needs political stability and protection from internal & external threats. I promise my people I will do what it takes to ensure its peace and security, which is today at stake.”
His announcement to strike an electoral deal with the BJP evoked instant reactions from his former colleague, who said that this proved their suspicion that Singh has always been ‘in bed with the BJP.’
Punjab cabinet minister, Pargat Singh, was quoted by NDTV as saying, “I had said all along that Captain is in bed with the BJP and Akali Dal. He used to get his agenda from the BJP.”
Singh was forced to resign as the chief of Punjab after the Congress high command in Delhi appointed his rival, Navjot Singh Sidhu, as the chief of the state unit of the party. The state goes to polls early next year and Sidhu’s appointment as the Punjab Congress chief meant that the central leadership had lost trust in Singh, who had openly disagreed with Rahul Gandhi recently.