Punjab: BJP welcomes ex-CM Capt Amarinder Singh's decision

CHANDIGARH: Congratulating former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh for deciding to float his own party, the Punjab unit of the BJP said any decision to contest upcoming assembly election in alliance with him (Capt Amarinder) will be taken by the party high command. BJP’s Rajya Sabha member from Haryana, Dushyant Kumar Gautam said the rebel Congress leader should first raise his political outfit before proceeding for an alliance with the saffron party.
“So far as alliance is concerned, there is a system for it. Let Amarinder Singh ji float his party first. Following this, the issue will be discussed by senior leadership and a decision taken,” he said. “As for issues related to farmers... he is welcome even if he has any proposal related to this issue. Such issues will be discussed at party and government level,” he added.
Announcing his decision on Tuesday, Amarinder had said he was open to forging an alliance with BJP and other like-minded political parties once the farmers’ issue was resolved. In a video message, Punjab BJP general secretary Jeevan Gupta congratulated the former CM, and said, “Any decision regarding possible alliance will be taken by party high command.” He said Punjab will progress if all nationalist forces joined hands.
Taking a dig at the ongoing crisis in Congress, Gupta said neither CM Charanjit Singh Channi nor state party president Navjot Singh were able to perform. He said after targeting Amarinder, Sidhu had picked up a fight with Channi. “His (Sidhu) actions make it evident that he is fighting for a position and not for people of Punjab,” he said.