Feel humiliated, but still in Congress: Amarinder Singh after resignation

Congress veteran Amarinder Singh on Saturday resigned as chief minister of Punjab, just four months before the state elections. He met Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh and submitted his and his council of ministers’ resignation, his media advisor said.

Talking to the press after the announcement, Amarinder Singh expressed his unhappiness with the party leadership’s decision. 

“I feel humiliated by the way talks transpired,” he told the reporters, adding that he had been summoned by the central leadership thrice in the last two months. 

“I spoke with the Congress president this morning, told them that I will be resigning today… This is the third time in recent months in meeting MLAs… which is why I decided to quit,” he said. 

“…Did they have an element of doubt that I couldn’t run the govt…I feel humiliated…Whoever they have faith in, can make them (CM), he added. 

Also Read: Congress leader lauds Rahul Gandhi’s ‘bold leadership’ to solve Punjab impasse

The politician added that he is only resigning as the CM and not from the party. 

“I am in the Congress party, will consult with my supporters and decide the future course of action,” he added. 

Crisis in the Punjab government escalated over Amarinder Singh’s festering feud with Navjot Singh Sidhu. In July, Navjot Sidhu was appointed as Congress’ Punjab chief, despite the Singh’s fierce resistance.

Following this, several senior Punjab Congress leaders raised fresh complaints against Amarinder Singh, accusing him not honouring promises made to the people of the state. Over 50 MLAs reportedly written to Sonia Gandhi demanding that him be replaced as Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, hours before Singh’s resignation, Sunil Jakhar, who is a frontrunner as Punjab CM replacement, had all but announced that Singh was on his way out.

“Kudos to Rahul Gandhi for adopting Alexandrian solution to this Punjabi version of Gordian knot. Surprisingly, this bold leadership decision to resolve Punjab Congress imbroglio has not only enthralled Congress workers but has sent shudders down the spines of Akalis,” Jakhar tweeted.