There is a strong buzz about former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh returning to the Congress. Although Singh had, in his interviews a few months ago, reiterated and reaffirmed that he would continue to remain with the Bharatiya Janata Party, his silence when social media is so much abuzz has led to a lot of curiosity among political circles, particularly the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
There was a buzz about another senior leader, Sunil Jakhar, also planning to return to the Congress. However, he recently categorically denied these reports. Amarinder, however, has remained silent, hence keeping everyone guessing.
It is indeed a fact that Congress has been badly missing a leader like Amarinder, particularly after the warring factions within the party in Punjab are refusing to retreat. It was during these factional fights that the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during a conversation with youth after being asked who was his favourite leader in the BJP, said, “Amarinder Singh”, addressing him as “Amarinder Uncle”.
Amarinder Singh, while having categorically rejected any idea of leaving the BJP and joining the Congress, has at the same time maintained that he was in touch with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at the personal level. He also disclosed that Rahul had also greeted him on his birthday through a text message. He also said that while Rahul condoled the death of his cousin brother, nobody from the BJP expressed any condolences.
But this is also a fact that it was Rahul, along with his sister Priyanka Gandhi, who expedited his “ungraceful exit” from the government, forcing him to resign as the Chief Minister in September 2021, when he was left with just six months more in office. He subsequently resigned from the Congress, formed his own Punjab Lok Congress and eventually merged that party into the BJP.
During the last four and a half years, there has not been much political activity. Amarinder probably feels that his services have not been utilized by the BJP. He was not even consulted before the appointment of a new state president, Kewal Singh Dhillon, who once used to be his protégé. This also annoyed him.
Recently, about a couple of weeks ago, Amarinder wrote an article in a national daily, openly disagreeing with the Prime Minister’s “dimaagi Naxal” statement. While he tried to draw a balance, at the same time he suggested that such labels must not be used so casually. It was after this article that speculations started about his possible return to the Congress.
The Congress actually needs Amarinder the most. But it has not much to offer him in return. Amarinder obviously will not accept anything less than the Chief Ministerial position if the party wins the elections. This would be more for redeeming his honour and prestige as he was removed so ungracefully. However, none of the senior leaders who have an eye on the Chief Ministerial position will accept that proposition. Anything less than the Chief Ministerial position will obviously not be acceptable to Amarinder. That is why it seems highly unlikely that he may return to his old party.
It is strange why the BJP is not utilizing his services at a crucial time when it is headed for a crucial battle six months from now. Amarinder may be laid back but he carries a charismatic personality. Even if he goes out just once in a week, which he will gladly do if asked to, it will set an unprecedented momentum for the party across the state. Congress may desperately wish to get him, but it cannot afford him. The BJP already has him within its fold. He may not swing the state for the BJP, but he can help the party to gather a lot of political momentum.
Otherwise also, barring Amarinder and Jakhar, there is hardly any leader within the BJP in Punjab who can claim to win on his own from anywhere.
(Views expressed are personal.)