
Former Chief Minister of Punjab Capt. Amarinder Singh has formally resigned from the Indian National Congress on Monday, November 1 after he sent his resignation letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Singh also announced the name of his new political party — Punjab Lok Congress — just months ahead of the Assembly Elections in Punjab that are slated to be held next year.
Singh’s seven-page resignation letter comes just days after he had dispelled all hopes for reconciliation between him and the Congress party. Stating that the time for rapprochement was over, he had affirmed his decision to leave the party.
In the resignation letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi, Singh wrote “I actually felt deeply hurt by your conduct and that of your children who I still deeply love as much as my own children,” adding that he had also known their father since 1954.
Moreover, Capt. Amarinder Singh expressed his disappointment over Congress’ decision to appoint Navjot Singh Sindhu as the President of the Punjab Congress Committee, despite his reservations and unanimous advice of a majority of MPs from Punjab. He went on to call Sidhu an “acolyte of the Pakistani deep state,” reiterating his accusations that Sidhu has links with Pakistan.
He also cited Congress party’s general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat, as being “perhaps the most dubious individual” he was in conversance with. He further added that he is resigning from Congress keeping in mind the interest of his state and his country.
Last week Capt. Amarinder Singh had revealed during a press conference that he will be floating his own political party and the name of the same will be announced as soon as it gets clearance from the Election Commission. He also discussed that Punjab Lok Congress will be entering into a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP and will contest Assembly Elections from all 117 seats in Punjab.