i-always-will-be-with-bjp-capt-amarinder-singh

Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Capt Amarinder Singh has one of the unique and rare qualities of clearly speaking out his mind even if it may be interpreted differently. Having completely recovered from his chronic back problem that held him back for some time, Amarinder is back into the game, saying he will go “hammer and tongs” for his party, the BJP, in the coming Punjab Legislative Assembly elections scheduled little over a year from now.

 

In a detailed conversation with Naveen S Garewal, Editor-in-Chief, News Arena India, the scion of the erstwhile Patiala royal family made it categorically clear that he is and he will “remain with the BJP and the BJP only”.

 

“Once I make a commitment, I don’t go back”, he told the news outlet in a freewheeling interview at his idyllic Siswan residence on the outskirts of Chandigarh on Sunday afternoon.

 

Excerpts from the interview:

 

Q. Of late you have compared the workings of your new party, the BJP, and the old one, the Congress, where you are seen to be missing the Congress work culture. What does this suggest?

 

A. This suggests nothing more than comparison between the working of two parties. It is but natural that two different parties will have different ways of functioning. When I say so, I say it specifically about their functioning. I am not making any judgments that one is better than the other.

 

Q. Do you miss the Congress? Do you regret having left the party that made you the Chief Minister twice and the PCC president thrice?

 

A. Why would I miss the Congress? I did not leave the Congress, the Congress left me. I have given my life to the party, led from the front against multiple odds. And one fine morning I learnt that the CLP meeting had been convened without my knowledge, despite me, as the Chief Minister, being the CLP leader. The party did not leave any option for me, but to quit. It literally was a midnight betrayal as the MLAs had been informed during the night about the meeting, while I was not even told, leave aside being taken into confidence. I don’t have any regrets for the decision I took.

 

Q. How are your relations with different BJP leaders? How comfortable do you feel in the BJP after having spent so many years in the Congress?

 

A. I have known Prime Minister Narendra Modi since late 1990s when I was the PCC president and he was the Punjab BJP ‘Prabahari’ (in-charge). Then we were both Chief Ministers and we would meet in various conferences (CMs’). And when I became the Chief Minister again in 2017, he was the Prime Minister of the country and he specially called to congratulate me. Same is the case with other leaders in the party.

I am very much comfortable and had I not been comfortable I wouldn’t be there. We have been brought up in a family for which nationalism came over and above everything else. My father Maharaja Yadvinder Singh, as the ruler of the Patiala State, was the first to announce merger with the Indian union after the Independence. He prevailed over others that it was in everybody’s interest to merge with India.

 

Q. How do you view Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India?

 

A. He is undoubtedly among the best and the greatest Prime Ministers the country has had. And it is not just me; people of the country have endorsed him time and again. Our Prime Minister holds the rare distinction of having won six consecutive elections, thrice to be the Chief Minister and thrice to be the Prime Minister. This is a rare feat and it does not come without reason. Moreover, India under Modi’s leadership is being seen as a strong and powerful nation that cannot be cowed down no matter how much pressure or force you try to exert. It does feel great.

 

Also read: Capt Amarinder's straight talk with grace, gravitas

 

Q. Since you have always said it repeatedly that your preference has been to serve Punjab, what role do you see for yourself in the new party?

 

A. The BJP is no longer a new party. I have been in the party for quite a few years. It is up to the party to decide and determine the role for me. As someone having over six decades of experience in Punjab, I would be contributing my bit. I will be campaigning for the party all over the state. I will fight for the party hammer and tongs.

 

Q. Since you have been the Chief Minister twice and Navjot Kaur Sidhu has claimed that in the Congress you need Rs 500 crore to become a Chief Minister, how do you look at it?

 

A. Although I don’t like to react and respond to someone like her, since she has said something about the chief ministerial appointments, I would say this is utter nonsense. I became Chief Minister twice. Sonia Gandhi, after I conveyed to her that we have won, asked me straightway to stake the claim for the chief ministership and take the oath. In fact, in 2017, the party had announced me the chief ministerial candidate ahead of elections.

 

Q. What do you think is the fate of the Congress in Punjab today?

 

A. I would not like to comment. The party appears to be in a state of civil war.

 

Q. What future do you see for the BJP in Punjab?

 

A. The BJP has risen all over the country. There is no reason that it should not do well in Punjab also. In fact, during the 2024 General Elections, the party’s performance was exceptionally good although we did not win any of the 13 Parliamentary seats. Our candidates were within striking distance at several places like Patiala, Ferozepur and Ludhiana. Besides, we led in 23 Assembly segments.

 

Q. What makes you favour an alliance with the Akali Dal when many of your colleagues are opposed to it?

 

A. I am talking on the basis of electoral mathematics. The Akali Dal and BJP will make a formidable combination. Had we been in alliance during the Parliamentary elections, we would have easily won five more seats together, besides Bathinda, which the Akalis won. We would have easily won Ludhiana, Patiala, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar. If there is an alliance for the Assembly elections, we have a strong possibility of improving further.

There are many people in the party who want that we should go alone. They are entitled to their opinion as they may have their own reasons for that.

 

Q. How do you view the AAP government’s performance?

 

A. Deeply disappointing. They squandered away the massive mandate they had got. Look at what they have done to Punjab. Lawlessness and bankruptcy, plus the debts they have been taking to run the government. Also, they are selling the precious family silver to meet the day-to-day expenses; they are selling the government land. Punjab never had it so bad.

 

Q. Will you be yourself contesting this time?

 

A. It is for the party to decide. I have been an MLA six times and an MP twice. I have been a minister once and Chief Minister twice. I have had a long innings. If the party decides that I should fight, I will fight.

 

Q. You have been the prime witness to the ‘militancy era’ in Punjab. Will we see you writing any book on that era?

 

A. Yes, I am currently working on the subject. I hope to bring it out very soon.