In a boost to the BJP in Punjab, former Chief Minister and Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) head Amarinder Singh joined the BJP along with his followers here on Monday in the presence of Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Kiren Rijiju.
Amarinder Singh also merged the PLC with the BJP. Singh (80) had floated the PLC last year after quitting the Congress following his unceremonious exit as Chief Minister, but his party failed to win any seat in the State Assembly polls.
The PLC contested the elections in alliance with the BJP and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).
“This is a party working in the interest of the country. I thank the leadership of the BJP for welcoming us. I discussed this with all my party members and we decided to do this,” Singh said during the induction ceremony, adding that he had told Prime Minister, Nadda ji and Amit Shah that he would join the party once he had returned from abroad after his treatment.
“For Captain Amarinder Singh, nation comes first. There is no compromise on that front. We are very happy to have this merger. I welcome Captain and his people,” Tomar said at the induction, adding, “It is important for national security that Punjab has stability and peace. His presence in the BJP will strengthen us. It is a historic day.”
“Punjab and Sikhs have always been there to protect the country,” Tomar further said.
Tomar lauded Singh’s keeping national security over the party loyalty and agreeing with the Centre on extending the jurisdiction of the Border Security force while the latter was the State Chief Minister. He also pointed to the Prime Minister’s steps to fulfill interests of the Sikh community.
Rijiju said the country’s unity and integrity is of the utmost importance and said even while Singh represented Congress as Chief Minister he always kept aspects of national unity and integrity above party politics.
Along with former Punjab Chief Minister, ex-deputy speaker of Punjab Assembly, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, also joined the BJP. Before his joining, Singh met Shah and Nadda.
