Won’t take such insults from Cong, says Amarinder; to float new party, not to join BJP

Dismissing all rumours of joining the saffron brigade, Punjab’s former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced to leave the Congress after all the “humiliation” meted out to him by the party.

Minutes later, he dropped the party’s name from his Twitter bio, which now reads as, “Army Veteran | Former Chief Minister Punjab | Continuing to serve the State”. However, Amarinder is yet to officially part ways with the Congress, which he said is “going downhill”.

“I will not be treated in this humiliating manner, I will not take such insults,” he said, adding that his principles and beliefs do not allow him to stay with the Congress.

Amarinder’s announcement came hours after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close aide and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Thursday morning for half an hour. A day before, Amarinder had an hour-long meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his Delhi visit, sparking speculation of his joining the BJP.

Mincing no words, Amarinder asserted that he would leave the Congress where he was “utterly humiliated and not trusted”. He stated that the Congress party is going downhill with senior leaders completely ignored and not given a voice.

“I will resign, will not stay in the party,” he said, adding that he was still thinking through his options in the interest of Punjab, whose security was the predominant priority for him.

Terming the senior Congressmen as the “thinkers”, who were critical to the future of the party, Amarinder said the younger leadership should be promoted to implement the plans, which the senior leaders are best equipped to formulate. Unfortunately, the seniors were being completely sidelined, he said, adding that this is not good for the party.