Soon after Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down as Punjab Chief Minister, the speculations regarding his future course of action have begun setting the market abuzz. While some of the reports stated that he will join BJP, the others claimed that he will float a new party. However, in both cases, the Congress party in Punjab will have to witness a huge setback as Amarinder is the man who resurrected the grand-old party in the state in 2017. As of now, Amarinder has decided to quit the party and hinted towards floating a new party to ally with the BJP.
Amarinder could float a new party and ally with the BJP
After being humiliated by Punjab Congress, Amarinder quit his post of Chief Minister in September. He had stated, “I’ve been in politics for 52 years. I will decide my future course after meeting with my guys. They (Cong) can choose whoever they trust. Of course am humiliated”.
Read more: Amarinder is officially done with the Congress
Few days after the resignation, ex-CM decided to quit the party as well. While affirming that he cannot stay in Congress any longer, he said that he will send his resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi soon. As per the reports, the ex-CM said, “I will resign…will not stay in the party. I will not be treated in this humiliating manner…I will not take such insults.” He further added that his principles and beliefs do not allow him to stay in Congress. However, he has also clearly stated that he will not be joining any other party.
Thus, with his statement denying joining any other party, the reports circulated in the media that Punjab may see the formation of a new political party. As per the reports, Captain Amarinder Singh may float a new political party soon with only months left for the assembly elections.
One of Captain’s aides also directed that ex-CM is all set to float a new party and said, “He (Amarinder) is on his way to forming a party, and going by the current state of affairs in the Punjab Congress, certain leaders are expected to join him. There could be a post-poll alliance. Even if the new party wins 40 seats, the political equations will change. A fractured mandate could lead to President’s rule”.
Shah-Amarinder meet
TFI had earlier reported that if Congress still doesn’t comprehend his signals, he might once again leave the party and go out on his own. In the same development, former Chief Minister Amarinder landed in the power corridors of New Delhi on Wednesday (September 29). He straightaway went to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence where the meeting between the two heavyweights lasted around 45 minutes.
It is also pertinent to mention that after meeting Shah, Captain met NSA Ajit Doval today and it looks like BJP is all set to extend the helping hand to him.
Read more: Shah-Amarinder meet: Will Captain be the BJP’s CM face in Punjab?
Amarinder floating a new party will be advantageous for BJP
With Amarinder quitting as the Punjab CM and the BJP Akali breakup, political dynamics have changed radically in Punjab. TFI had already reported that BJP today is the only party in Punjab that can claim to have a significant stronghold on the Hindu vote, and any other party that wants to come to power will have to rely heavily on Sikh votes.
However, if Captain floats a new party, he would be able to grab a major share of the Dalit Sikh votes, which could harm the INC and also grab a healthy share of the Jat vote, which would weaken the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). As for the BJP, the saffron party would like to raise the issue of Khalistan resurgence and Pakistan’s plans to keep Punjab on the edge.
Read more: What if Amarinder Singh floats a new party?
Thus, if Amarinder actually floats a new party and allies with BJP, the saffron party will be able to spring a surprise victory in the state of Punjab with a BJP CM in 2022.