‘Captain’s popularity’ could be a game changer for BJP

Chandigarh. Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ended a bitter chapter with the Congress and is all set to form a new party in the upcoming assembly elections. Along with the announcement of the new party, the Captain has also hinted at a possible alliance with the BJP. BJP will also try to strengthen its hold in the state through Captain. However, the Captain has also put a condition like a solution to the farmers’ movement.

Punjab BJP General Secretary Subhash Sharma says – The Captain has expressed his desire for a pre-poll alliance with the BJP, which is a welcome step. We accept any alliance for the betterment of the people of Punjab.

In fact, relations between the BJP and the Akali Dal broke down in the state over the new agricultural laws. Now the BJP leadership is hopeful that the captain can provide it with a face that can become an alternative to Congress, AAP, Akali Dal-BSP. In the 2017 assembly elections, the BJP and the Akali Dal together won 18 out of 117 seats. The BJP had claimed that this happened because of the anti-incumbency against the Akali Dal government. BJP had got three seats in that election.

Sharma said Captain Amarinder’s popularity remained despite the turmoil in the Punjab Congress. He says – the biggest thing is that he takes a tough stand on the issues of national interest. The thinking of BJP is also similar. Captain sahab has a huge stature in Punjab. All communities respect him. If there is an alliance with them, we will emerge as a strong force in the state.

Sharma says that the dispute between Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and State Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu will continue for now. The dispute between the two will come to the public notice in the coming months. On the other hand, AAP also lacks a popular face. Therefore, the people of the state will get benefit from this alliance (Captain-BJP).

Sharma admits that in some areas the party may face opposition from a section. But there are many such areas which are strong strongholds of BJP. He says that the talks on alliance will be done by the central leadership, but on the ground, BJP workers will work together with those parties which think about the good of Punjab.

On the condition of the Captain to resolve the issue of farmers, Sharma says – The Central Government has already held talks with the farmers. If efforts are made in the same direction, then some solutions can be expected for the benefit of the farmers.