Self-assured about forming the next “alliance” Government in Punjab, the former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday claimed that “everything is going fine” in terms of his new political venture and shaping the coalition with the BJP and the breakaway Akali faction.
Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Samyukta) had indicated that “no formal talks” have so far been held to forge an alliance with Capt Amarinder, the veteran politician asserted that his new political outfit - Punjab Lok Congress - will form the next government in Punjab along with the BJP and a breakaway Akali faction.
He maintained that that he would soon be going to the national capital to call on the central BJP leaders to discuss the seat-sharing arrangement for Punjab elections, which is scheduled to be held in January-February next year.
At the same time, Capt Amarinder maintained that his party’s membership drive is receiving a great response.
Capt Amarinder’s assertions came after his surprise “courtesy call” meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday at his residence. While Capt Amarinder claimed that there was “no political development”, and he just shared “a very nice cup of coffee with the Chief Minister”, the political observers believed that there was much more than what meets the eyes.
The meeting came on a day when both the houses of the Parliament passed a Bill to repeal the Centre’s three contentious laws, against which the farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting for over a year. It is believed that with this meeting, Capt Amarinder is apparently working on solidifying his alliance with the BJP.
“I have met the Chief Minister does not mean that when you meet someone, it is politically something. This is just a normal courtesy call,” he said after the meeting responding to media queries if any talks were held regarding an alliance with the BJP.
In the photographs of their meeting released by the Haryana Government, Khattar is seen receiving Capt Amarinder with a warm hug. Notably, this was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after Capt Amarinder’s resignation from Congress.
Capt Amarinder is, currently, working on his party and, waiting for its registration by the Election Commission of India. It is believed that once he receives a go ahead from the poll panel, he would formally launch his campaign. “We should get information regarding this any time,” said Capt Amarinder.
At the same time, Capt Amarinder said, “Our membership drive is going great, wait for the time. We (with our allies) will form the Government (in Punjab).”
As of now, Capt Amarinder is the lone soldier in his new outfit. His staunch supporters and loyalists in Congress have adopted a wait and watch policy. Even though his wife and Congress MP from Patiala Preneet Kaur has given clear indications that she would be in Capt Amarinder’s camp, the former Union Minister is yet to resign from the party.
Already, Capt Amarinder had announced that his Punjab Lok Congress would contest all 117 assembly seats in the State. At the same time, Capt Amarinder has repeatedly made it clear that he was “looking forward” to arrive at a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP.
And now with the Parliament repealing the three controversial farm laws - the one condition Capt Amarinder had put to join hands with the BJP, the former Chief Minister is optimistic to form the next Government in alliance with the BJP and Akali faction.
“God willing, we and with our seat adjustment with the BJP and with (Sukhdev Singh) Dhindsa party (SAD Samyukt), we will form the government,” said Capt Amarinder, responding to media queries.
Sources informed The Pioneer that the former Chief Minister was in the process of identifying the potential leaders, especially in the ruling Congress, who could shift their loyalties towards his party. The sources claimed that many leaders from the Congress party are ready to cross over to his camp, but are waiting for the right time.
Capt Amarinder had quit the Congress following his resignation as the Punjab Chief Minister on September 18 after a bitter power tussle with the state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu.
On farmers’ agitation, Capt Amarinder said: “Everything is now over. The three Bills (laws) have been repealed by the Parliament...The Centre has agreed to other six to seven issues raised by the farmers.....So, there is no issue left.”
On the farmers’ demand for the withdrawal of police cases against protesters, he said that the Centre will take a look at these cases. “Definitely, the states of Haryana and Punjab, where cases have been registered, will see and withdraw them,” he added.
