How Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh carries forward BJP ideology in his last political inning

In the last inning of his political career, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is playing on the front foot. Of late, the position he has been taking on most of the issues are in line with that of BJP. If his views are not against his Congress party's stand, they are not in unison either.

He seems to be a transformed Congress leader ever since he was sworn in as Punjab CM on March 16.

Has Amarinder Singh got 'Modified'? Or, is he his usual self?

Much before the February Assembly elections in Punjab, Amarinder Singh had declared that he was contesting the last time. He had also sought a chance from the Congress high command to lead the party in the Assembly polls on the same ground.

The 'Maharaja of Patiala' was granted whatever he wished for and he went on to lead Congress to a decisive victory.

BADALS AND KEJRIWAL ON TARGET TILL PUNJAB POLLS

Till elections, Amarinder Singh's statements and tweets were largely related to campaigning. He never named BJP in any tweet though he targeted the other two rivals - the Badals led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Amarinder Singh made personal comments on the Badals and Kejriwal. His attack on the Badals pertained mainly to law and order, corruption charges and drug menace.

However, the former Army Captain's assault on the Delhi Chief Minister was frontal and highly damaging. His comments would, of course, be retorts to provocations by Kejriwal.

If you are so sure, why don't you come and fight me? You sneaky little fellow! @ArvindKejriwal https://t.co/h6byJRahSm- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 12, 2017

SOFT TOWARDS PM MODI AND BJP

But never in his campaign the 'Maharaja' ever target Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was in contrast to not just other Opposition parties but also other Congress leaders, including party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

These may lead one to believe that Captain Amarinder Singh may be soft towards BJP and PM Modi. There were reports too claiming that he was about to join BJP in September 2015.

However, the Punjab CM refuted this. In a tweet on May 17, he said he never thought of joining BJP due to differences with Congress. In a significant revelation, he said he only toyed with forming own party.

Amarinder Singh as a young boy at YPS Stadium, Patiala. Photo: @capt_amarinder

Disclosing plans of breaking away from parent Congress and forming a new party in itself is quite a bold statement to make. No other Congress leader can muster enough courage to make such a statement.

But Captain Amarinder Singh, saddled firmly in his position, has been speaking his mind, unmindful even of diverting from his Congress party's stand or ideology. The steps or the stand he has been taking appear closer to rival BJP.

DOING AWAY WITH VIP CULTURE

The Modi government banned red beacons atop vehicles of ministers, politicians and government officials. The announcement was made on April 19. However, similar decision had already been taken by the Punjab government on March 18, just two days after the Amarinder government was sworn in.

In fact, the decision to rid Punjab of VIP culture was taken in the new state cabinet's first meeting. All beacon lights were ordered to be removed from vehicles of ministers, MLAs and bureaucrats.

On April 21, the Punjab CM surrendered 400 security personnel and the government withdrew 1500 from other protectees. It plans to cut down more to free more security personnel for policing.

THE TURNING POINT

Captain Amarinder Singh has launched an offensive akin to any 'nationalist' BJP leader ever since Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh was martyred and his body mutilated by Pakistani forces in Kashmir on May 1. He met the family of the martyr and announced jobs for the latter's children.

On his own, he announced that a police job was waiting for martyr Paramjeet Singh's daughter when she completes education and another job was reserved for the son. Later, he heartily accepted the request of the family for naib tehsildar's job to the martyr's daughter and ASI for the son.

Meeting with the family of Shaheed JCO Paramjeet Singh today at Veinpoin village was a heart-wrenching experience. pic.twitter.com/dc9Y32fohJ- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 7, 2017

Being a former Army officer, who had fought the 1965 Pakistan War, Captain Amarinder Singh is clearly passionate about issues related to the military. However, not all ex-servicemen match his zeal.

Paid homage to martyrs at State War Memorial Amritsar. Salute the brave hearts who laid their lives for the country! pic.twitter.com/L3dLHvb5h9- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 7, 2017

Visited Jallianwala Bagh today. Salute the courage of the freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the Nation. pic.twitter.com/EVDCxtxtto- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 8, 2017

He also expressed shock at the ghastly kidnapping and murder of Army officer Ummer Fayaz. He exhorted the Centre to take tough action to put an end to such brutality.

Really shocked & saddened at cowardly kidnapping & killing of army officer Ummer Fayaz. Need tough action to put an end to such brutality.- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 10, 2017

The Punjab CM's stand on Major Leetul Gogoi, who had tied a stonepelter as a human shield on the bonnet of a jeep in Kashmir to save election and security personnel from a huge violent crowd, was also in variance with that of Congress for several days.

Amarinder Singh had expressed his happiness over Major Gogoi being given clean chit by the Army's Court of Inquiry as early as May 15. Congress took a week more to make its stand clear and second the Punjab CM.

Good to hear of @adgpi Court of Inquiry clean chit to 'human shield' officer Major Nitin Gogoi, should be given distinguished service award.- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 15, 2017

He also said that had he been a young army major, he would have done the same what Major Gogoi did. He is of the view that the Army cannot fight terror with one hand tied behind.

Captain Amarinder Singh has also supported the Centre whole-heartedly unlike other Opposition leaders. For instance, he congratulated External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for ensuring the safe return of Uzma from Pakistan on May 25.

Really happy to know of Uzma's safe return to Delhi, congrats to central govt for handling sensitive matter with maturity @SushmaSwaraj- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 25, 2017

What would please the BJP leaders is the Sikh leader's penchant for Hindu gods and goddesses.

Visited the historic Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar to seek blessings of Maa Durga for Punjab and its people. pic.twitter.com/bH2JWXzFFh- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 8, 2017

Captain Amarinder Singh may have endeared himself to the 'nationalists' and the Sangh Parivar by his deeds and words. However, they may also have reasons to believe that the Punjab CM may be hijacking their agenda and ideology.

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