The BJP on Wednesday warmly responded to former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s suggestion to forge an alliance with the party in the upcoming state assembly polls, lauding him as a patriot and saying it is ready to join hands with those Those who put national interest first.
BJP general secretary and party in-charge of Punjab affairs Dushyant Gautam said Singh, who has announced that he will quit the Congress and start a party, is moving away from dynasty and towards nationalism.
Gautam’s remarks came a day after Amarinder Singh said he would soon launch his political party and hoped that a seat arrangement with the BJP would be done if the farmers’ issue is resolved in his interest.
On his condition that the farmers’ issue be resolved, the BJP leader said Singh did not talk of ending the farmers’ agitation.
“They talked about farmers’ issues. We are committed to it and working for the welfare of farmers. When the time comes, the two will sit together and discuss farmers’ issues,” Gautam told PTI.
He alleged that as far as the movement is concerned, it is politically motivated.
“Our main agenda is to put nationalism and country first. All those parties who want to ally with us on this agenda are welcome,” he said.
Amarinder Singh was once a soldier and his stand on issues of national security should be praised, the BJP leader said.
“… He (Amarinder Singh) was a soldier. He knows about the dangers to the country and how to keep it safe.
“He is a patriot. And whenever it comes to national security and security at the borders, we have appreciated his stand,” Gautam said, adding that the nationalists are not “untouchables” to the BJP.
The BJP leader took a dig at Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying Amarinder Singh would not embrace the Pakistan Army chief for being a “hero” in the Pakistani media. Congress.
However, Gautam indicated that nothing has been decided yet as “Amarinder Singh still needs to form his own party and put forth his views”.
Singh had resigned as Punjab chief minister last month following a bitter spat with Sidhu and infighting in the state unit. The party appointed Charanjit Singh Channi in his place.
After resigning, Singh had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed. Only the title has been changed.
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