Chandigarh: Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has expressed candid disillusionment with his political journey inside the Bharatiya Janata Party, stating that he has gained virtually nothing in the four years since joining the outfit and that the party leadership has never consulted him on state matters. In an extensive interview with The Tribune, the veteran leader reflected on his decades in public life, his estrangement from decision-making circles, and the shifting political landscape in Punjab.
The two-time chief minister, who merged his Punjab Lok Congress with the BJP in September 2022 following his unceremonious exit from the Congress, pointed out that joining a national party naturally carries the expectation that senior leaders with deep regional grounding will be involved in key discussions. Singh remarked that while he does not claim to hold every answer regarding the state, having observed Punjab closely for nearly six decades warranted consultation, which the central leadership in New Delhi consistently failed to seek.
Addressing his political future, the 84-year-old leader declared that his active electoral days are effectively over, indicating that he has no intention of contesting future polls. At the same time, he ruled out any prospect of returning to the Congress fold or moving to the Shiromani Akali Dal, noting that limited options remain available to him at this stage of his career.
Weighing in on Punjab’s electoral dynamics, Singh observed that the upcoming 2027 assembly election is primarily shaping up as a direct contest between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress. He questioned the BJP’s independent grassroots footprint in the state and strongly advocated for reviving its historic alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, asserting that the party cannot build a viable path to government formation without aligning with its former regional partner.
Singh also voiced grave concerns over Punjab’s current security and administrative climate, criticising cross-border drone incursions, widespread drug trafficking, and farmer unrest. Emphasising his background in defence and border governance, he argued that central authorities in Delhi have long underestimated the complex challenges confronting Punjab, urging policymakers to treat border security and state welfare with serious strategic focus.
