Political News: Amarinder Singh hits back after Harish Rawat questions his ‘secular credentials’

Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat on Friday said Amarinder Singh’s “proximity” with BJP leaders like Amit Shah puts a question mark on his secular credentials, and the former CM hit back saying his “outrageous allegation” was prompted by the “pathetic situation” the party faced in the state.

Rawat said the former Punjab chief minister was playing into the hands of people with whom he had no ideological ties.

Singh, who resigned from the top post in the state last month, had met Shah in Delhi and had said that they discussed the prolonged agitation against the farm loans.

“His proximity with Amit Shah and some other BJP leaders puts his secular credentials in doubt,” Rawat said at a press conference. He also advised Singh not to walk into the “BJP’s trap” and become its “mukhauta” (mask) in Punjab.

Rawat also claimed that Singh was complaining of humiliation by the Congress under “pressure from someone”, and Singh shot back asking under what “pressure” the party leadership was letting PCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu have his way.

“What is the pressure he exerts on the party leadership that they are so defenceless against him and are allowing him to have his way even at the cost of the Congress’ future in Punjab?” Singh said in a statement.

The gloves were off on both sides a day after Singh revealed he was quitting the Congress, but not joining the BJP.

The former CM reiterated his charge that the party leadership humiliated him for months and unceremoniously forced him out.

“If the party did not intend to humiliate me then why was Navjot Singh Sidhu allowed to openly criticise and attack me on social media and other public platforms for months?” he said.

Singh also accused Rawat of lying and keeping him in the dark till the last moment about the developments that led to his ouster from the CM’s chair.

“We spoke just a day before the CLP meeting was called. Mr. Rawat told me then there was nothing in the works.” Singh said

Rawat said the party always gave him respect, adding: “Amarinder Singh was Punjab Congress president thrice and chief minister twice. Is it humiliation?”