He needs no acceptance: Sunil Jakhar backs Amarinder Singh after his 'BJP doesn't consult me' remarks

Responding to Captain Amarinder Singh’s earlier remarks that the BJP does not seek his views on Punjab despite his six decades in state politics, BJP leader Sunil Jakhar said he regards Singh as his leader and is a fan of him beyond political affiliations. Jakhar also stressed that Singh does not need anyone’s acceptance.

“I don’t know in what context he made the statement. I consider him as my leader. He has a great stature. Other than political affiliation, I am his fan. I don’t think that he needs any acceptance. He has a great stature not only in Punjab but across India,” Jakhar said on Saturday.

In an earlier conversation with Aaj Tak, India Today’s sister channel, Amarinder Singh pointed out some BJP office-bearers handling Punjab had less than a year’s political experience, yet the party does not seek his views despite his nearly six decades in state politics.

“My colleagues and I have spent sixty years in Punjab’s electoral politics. We have seen Punjab going through several turmoils. We have done certain things. All we expect is that the BJP would seek and value our opinion coming from our experience,” said Singh.

Amarinder Singh had quit the Congress in 2021 and subsequently formed the Punjab Lok Congress following a fallout with the party. He later merged his party with the BJP in 2022.

The two-time Punjab Chief Minister’s remarks triggered speculation about a possible return to the Congress. Singh, however, said he had not indicated that he was leaving the BJP and maintained that political parties keep changing.

“I have not said that I am no longer relevant in the Congress or the BJP. Parties keep changing. When I was in the Congress, I also went to the Akali Dal after Operation Blue Star and later returned to the Congress. That does not mean I will now leave and join another party,” Singh said.

Singh reiterated that sharing his views on Punjab was part of his responsibility as a BJP leader, saying, “It is my duty to tell my party what I feel about Punjab” and clarifying that it “does not mean I am quitting the party,” according to PTI.

Furthermore, when reporters questioned him about his age, Singh, 84, cited former Prime Minister Morarji Desai as an example, noting that Desai became Prime Minister at the age of 81.

“I am 84, but Morarji Desai was also 92...” Singh said at the launch of Bishan with Love, a book commemorating former cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi.