A day after former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced that he would soon announce his own political party and will look for an alliance with like-minded parties in state assembly elections, several political parties have reacted to it wherein some advised him to leave the Congress first, while the others called him “BJP’s B Team”.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and his son Parminder Dhindsa on Wednesday said they have not received any proposal yet from Captain Amarinder for alliance. “No contact or proposal so far from Captain Amarinder Singh for an alliance. Captain Amarinder first should quit the Congress,” said the father-son duo.
Calling Captain Amarinder a “Congress person”, Parminder Dhindsa told News18, “Captain Amarinder has been a disappointment. We have nothing to do with Amarinder so far. This is just speculation. Punjab needs an alternative to Congress, BJP and SAD. I still think he is a Congress person and not separate.”
While speaking to News18 on Tuesday, BJP leader Harjeet Grewal welcomed Captain Amarinder’s decision and said, “It is up to Captain Amarinder Singh to form a party. This will split the Congress even at an all India level. We welcome this move. Central leadership will decide but we are happy to align with like minded people. Captain Amarinder was accepted by Punjab twice and has a base in Punjab just like the Badals.”
However, Congress leader Pargat Singh claimed both Badals and Captain Amarinder are with the BJP. “Not a post-poll alliance. This is a pre-poll alliance. Badals are also with BJP. I said this months back. Captain Amarinder always had an alliance with BJP.”
Attacking Captain Amarinder, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, “Captain Amarinder is BJP B Team. That is why he is also batting for increasing BSF influence in Punjab.”
His meeting with Shah had triggered speculation of his joining the BJP. Later he scotched speculation of his joining the saffron party but said he would quit the Congress, which he asserted was going downhill with senior leaders being ignored. “I will not join BJP (but) I will not stay in the Congress party,” the 79-year-old leader had then said, adding that he had been “utterly humiliated” and was not trusted.
With inputs from News18, PTI
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