Political News: Congress hits out at Amarinder Singh for considering alliance with BJP

Congress has hit out at former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh for his statement that not only he would launch a regional party but could consider aligning with BJP if the contentious farm laws are withdrawn by the Centre.

“His (Singh’s) statement is really shocking. It seems he has killed the ‘secular Amarinder’ within him,” AICC general secretary and Punjab incharge Harish Rawat said on Wednesday. “Who can forgive the BJP that has kept farmers at the borders for 10 months? Can Punjab forgive them for the manner in which farmers’ agitation has been dealt with?” he said.

“If he (Singh) wants to eat crow and go with BJP, he can. Who can stop him if he can’t stay with his old commitment to secularism? He was considered a symbol of ‘Sarvdharm Sambhav’ connected to Congress’ traditions for long,” Rawat said after a meeting with the Gandhis, during which he is also learnt to have repeated his appeal to relieve of the Punjab charge so that he can stay focused on his responsibility of leading the election campaign in Uttarakhand.

“As the polls approach, I will have to devote time to both places (Punjab and Uttarakhand go to polls early next year),” he said. “I will be able to do justice to my karmabhoomi (Punjab) only if I am able to do the right for my janmabhoomi (Uttarakhand).”

If Rawat’s request is accepted, AICC observer to Punjab Harish Choudhury or a fresh AICC team will look after the Punjab charge.