A combative Capt Amarinder Singh, making it clear that he is not riding into the sunset yet and declaring open war against Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu by saying that he will do anything to stop him from becoming chief minister, even put up a candidate against him in the Assembly elections in 2022, there is intense speculation over Amarinder's plans for the coming polls.
A clear indication that Amarinder will be a player in the coming elections was provided by his aide Narender Bhambri when he tweeted a poster with a picture of the former chief minister captioned “Captain 2022” on Wednesday. Amarinder, since he resigned as CM on September 18, has more than once emphasised that he is not hanging his boots yet, that there are options open for him and he will take a call at the right time.
Amarinder's declaration that he will do whatever it takes to stop Sidhu from becoming chief minister, which includes putting up a strong candidate against him, is seen as a clear indication that he is preparing to walk out of Congress.
Soon after resigning, Amarinder was ready with a plan to hit back at the Congress and Sidhu, turning the focus on the issue of national security. He has portrayed Sidhu as a threat to national security, accusing him of having a bonhomie with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. He has argued that this alleged proximity to the leaders of the neighbouring country makes him a dangerous prospect when it comes to the national interest.
The 79-year-old former army man, who has always worn patriotism on his sleeve, is attempting to make national security an issue in the coming elections, and on his target is his bete noire Sidhu.
Amarinder's emphasis on nationalism and concerns that he has expressed about the implications of the recent political developments on the security situation in the border state has also given rise to speculation if he is looking at the BJP as an option. Significantly, Amarinder has not given a clear reply to questions on whether he will join the BJP. The former chief minister's focus on nationalism places him in sync with the BJP's nationalistic thrust, and the saffron party is bereft of a strong face to the project in the elections. However, the stand he has taken against the three contentious farm laws, against which the farmers of the state are agitating, could make it difficult for him to join the party.
Joining the Akali Dal or the AAP are clearly not options for the chief minister, especially because as chief minister he has been the face they have been attacking. The other option that is being talked about is launching a new party, which again will not be an easy proposition but is not being ruled out.
What is clear is that Amarinder will have a role to play in the coming elections.
