Form of words:
Chandigarh: Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday rubbished reports of backend talks with the Congress, saying the time for rapprochement is over and his decision to quit the party was final.
Singh reiterated that he would soon launch his own political party and said that he wanted to create “a strong collective force in the interest of Punjab”.
“Reports of backend talks with @INCIndia are wrong. The meeting time is over. The decision to part ways with the party was taken after much deliberation and is final. I am grateful to (Congress President) Sonia Gandhi ji for her support but will no longer be in Congress,” tweeted Singh’s media advisor quoting the former chief minister.
Singh was reacting to some media reports that some Congress leaders are engaged in backend talks to persuade him to continue in the party.
“I will launch my party soon and will hold talks with @BJP4India (BJP), split Akali factions and others for seat-sharing for the Punjab (Assembly) elections in 2022, when the farmers issue is resolved. I want to build a strong collective force in the interest of Punjab and its farmers.
Farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at the Delhi border points against three central agricultural laws, which were enacted in September last year, demanding their repeal.
The former chief minister had said on Wednesday that he would launch his new political party when the Election Commission approves the name and symbol.
He had also taken a jibe at the Congress claiming that many party people were in touch with him.
Elections in Punjab are due early next year.
Singh had earlier said that he would soon launch his own party, and that he was hoping for a seat adjustment with the BJP, provided the farmers’ agitation against agricultural laws is resolved in his interest.
He had resigned as the Chief Minister of Punjab last month amid a power struggle with Punjab Congress chief Navjot Sidhu.
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