It's 'semi official'; Capt Amarinder can have pre-poll alliance with BJP

New Delhi: 

Former Punjab Chief Minister and ex-Congress old war horse, Capt Amarinder Singhon Tuesday played up his political card announcing that he would float a new party andthat it could possibly settle down for a seat adjustment with the BJP.

"I will not rest till I can secure the future of my people and my state. Punjab needs political stability and protection from internal and external threats," ran a message quoting the former Chief Minister in the micro blogging site from his media advisor, Raveen Thukral.

"I promise my people I will do what it takes to ensure its peace and security, which is today at stake,"the former Congress veteran said.

Another Twitter missive said: "Hopeful of a seat arrangement with BJP in 2022 Punjab Assembly polls if Farmers' Protest is resolved in farmers’ interest. Also looking at alliance with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups, particularly Dhindsa and Brahmpura factions":

The big announcement comes about a month after he tendered resignation as the Chief Ministeramid serious infighting in the Congress camp between Capt Amarinder Singh and an 'influentialsection' led by cricketer-turned-neta, Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Capt Amarinder had lately met Home Minister Amit Shah and NSA Ait Doval separately. But he alsomade it clear he will not join the BJP.Hence, his broad hints that his proposed new outfit could have a seat adjustment with thesaffron party is significant.The BJP may not be a big player in Punjab but it has sizable votes and its alliance with theAkali Dal always did help both the parties earlier on different situations.

The new party could be named Punjab Vikas Party (PVP), but no formal announcement has been made. 

Sources close to Capt Amarinder had said that the former CM had met Amit Shah only to discuss the farmers’ agitation.Of course, after his meeting with NSA, Capt Amarinder Singh had said that he would not divulge detailsof the interaction but issues related to Pakistani 'interference' and national security.

In a boost to BJP in Punjab in the month of September, Inderjeet Singh, grandson of former President Gyani Zail Singh, joined the saffron party.

For the Lotus party, the Akalis have been the most dependable alliance partner of the saffron party formally since the 1990s and 'informally' even during Emergency days in 1975.

But the Akali Dal quit NDA in 2020.

The saffron party leaders have also been ‘interacting’ with S S Dhindsa, a senior Akali Dal

leader who quit the Badals-led party. The BJP also sought to reach out to another Akali dissident R S Brahmpura, who floated Akali Dal (Taksali).

ends