Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 30
Even as a section of Congress leaders is keen on persuading Capt Amarinder Singh to stay in the party, the former Chief Minister on Saturday ruled out rapprochement with the party.
Grateful to Sonia, but won’t stay in party
I am grateful to Sonia Gandhi for her support, but will not stay in the Congress now. I want to build a strong collective force in the interest of Punjab and its farmers. Capt Amarinder Singh, former CM
Captain Amarinder said he had decided to part ways with the Congress. A statement issued by his media adviser said it had been stated that the former Chief Minister would soon launch his own party and would hold talks for seat-sharing with the BJP, breakaway Akali factions and others for the upcoming Assembly elections once the farmers’ issue was resolved. “I want to build a strong collective force in the interest of Punjab and its farmers,” it said.
Asserting that the decision to part ways was taken after much thought and that it was final, the statement said: “I am grateful to Sonia Gandhi for her support, but will not stay in the Congress now.”
The former Chief Minister is expected to meet Home Minister Amit Shah along with a delegation of non-political agriculture experts. The meeting scheduled last Thursday was postponed due to the Home Minister’s prior engagement.
Though the Congress has not commented on Captain Amarinder ruling out rapprochement with the party, it is learnt Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is of the opinion that Captain Amarinder should stay in the party. The party leadership does not want the former Chief Minister to field candidates against party nominees, as it would lead to division of the cadre vote.
MANDATE 2022: No going back to Congress, says Capt Amarinder Singh
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