Capt.Amrinder to float new party, may ally with BJP if farmers issues resolved

By Bula Devi / New Delhi : For the first time since his unceremonious exit from the Congress, former chief minister of Punjab Capt Amarinder Singh announced that he will launch a new political party and is open to seat arrangements with the BJP and breakaway Akali groups for the 2022 assembly elections in the state.
“The battle for Punjab’s future is on. Will soon announce the launch of my own political party to serve the interests of Punjab and its people, including our farmers who have been fighting for their survival for over a year,” Capt Amarinder Singh announced.
Revealing that he was willing to have seat arrangements with the BJP, the former chief minister said: “Hopeful of a seat arrangement with the 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.”
Clearly, alliance with other political parties and much of the seat sharing will depend a lot on the resolution of the farmers’ agitation. Interestingly, BJP’s base in Punjab is negligible. Yet, if the party becomes adamant on its stand on the contentious issue and decides to dug its heels, Capt Amarinder Singh’s alliance with the BJP may become foolishly adventurous.
It is said that the SAD had snapped ties with the BJP since it understood the voters’ mood and felt that working together with the saffron party in the state would be suicidal since ground was swelling against the BJP, especially on the issue of farmers who have been on protest against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws.
Captain Amarinder is willing to take the risk and fight elections with the BJP together provided the latter takes a step forward in favour of the farmers.
In an effort to lift up the spirit of the people, he has been making political statements and trying to entice voters to support him. The tall political leader of Punjab further said: “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. I promise my people I will do what it takes to ensure its peace and security, which is today at stake.”
The captain had joined the Congress under Rajiv Gandhi. They knew each other since the Doon school days and incidentally, they did their flying training together also.
The captain’s idea to float a splinter group is not new, he launched one in the 1990s also. According to locals, his party won some seats but it was not effective.
It is a known fact that the Captain resigned from the Congress in protest against the 1984 riots. Subsequently, he joined Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to become a force, resisting Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple. He however snapped ties with the SAD in 1992.
He formed his own group called the SAD (Panthic) which merged with the Congress after a few years, in 1997.
It is to be seen in 2022, how much dent his political party is able to make in the assembly elections and whether his party will be able to garner enough support of the MLAs and the electorate.