'Discussed the Prolonged Farmers' Agitation': Amarinder Singh Meets Amit Shah

The meeting comes amid speculation about Amarinder Singh joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reached the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday, 29 September.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Raveen Thukral)

Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reached the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday, 29 September, amid speculation about him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Shortly after the hour-long meet, Singh's media adviser shared a photo of the duo on Twitter. He also quoted Amarinder Singh and said:

"Met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Discussed prolonged farmers’ agitation against farm laws and urged him to resolve crisis urgently with repeal of the laws and guarantee MSP, besides supporting Punjab in crop diversification."

This meet comes just days after Singh resigned as the Punjab CM and amid the ongoing crisis in the Punjab unit of the Congress party.

What Did Amarinder Say on Arriving in Delhi?

Less than a fortnight after resigning as Punjab's Chief Minister (CM), Captain Amarinder Singh reached Delhi on Tuesday, 28 September. However, amid a swirl of political speculations, the captain denied any reports of being in the capital to meet the Home Minister or the BJP President. Instead, on reaching Delhi, he was quoted in media reports as saying:

"I am here to vacate Kapurthala House, the residence of Punjab CM in New Delhi.”

'Amit Shah's Residence—The Centre of Anti-Dalit Politics': Congress

Tweeting following Singh’s meet with Shah, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said:

“The arrogance of the abbot sitting in power has been hurt.”

Further, referring to Amit Shah’s residence as “centre of anti-Dalit politics”, Shah said:

“If a Dalit is made the Chief Minister, they ask who is taking decisions in the Congress?”

In yet another tweet he stated that “BJP's anti-farmer conspiracy will not succeed.”

Background

Earlier in September, amid a tussle within the party, Amarinder Singh had claimed that he had suffered “humiliation” and stepped down as the CM of the state. His position was subsequently handed over to Charanjit Singh Channi.

Singh had also gone on to state that he would fight Navjot Sidhu's elevation to Punjab chief ministership tooth and nail, and was ready to make any sacrifice to save the country from such a "dangerous man".