Former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is expected to stitch an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the next year’s Punjab Assembly elections.
The speculation has picked up pace following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that the Centre would soon repeal the three controversial farm laws.
Thanking PM Modi for repealing the laws, Captain Amarinder Singh’s media aide quoted him saying, “Huge huge day for all of us in Punjab. I’d been pursuing the matter with Centre for last 1+ year & had met @narendramodi ji, @AmitShah ji requesting them to heed the voice of our annadaatas. Really happy they’ve heard farmers & understood our concerns.”
He went on to add, “This has not only come as huge relief to farmers but has paved way for Punjab’s progress. I look forward to working closely with @BJP4India led centre for development of Kisans. I promise Punjab’s people I won’t rest till I wipe every tear from every single eye.”
Meanwhile, the former Punjab CM himself told a media channel that a pre-poll alliance between his party and the BJP is likely in the future.
“The plan for seat-sharing with BJP will be worked out 110 per cent, and farmers too should join the fight,” he said.
While quitting Congress recently after his “humiliating” ouster from the CM’s post, Amarinder Singh had indicated that he was hopeful of a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP, provided the agitation over the new laws was resolved in the farmers’ interest.
Singh had earlier met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said he discussed the farmers’ stir with him and urged him to resolve the crisis urgently with the repeal of the three laws.
The elections for the 117-member Vidhan Sabha are expected to witness a multi-cornered contest among the ruling Congress, the SAD-BSP alliance, the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP.
