No truth in Congress return speculation, says Amarinder after meeting Shah

Chandigarh: Days after expressing reservations over the BJP high command's decision to appoint Kewal Singh Dhillon as Punjab BJP president without consulting him, former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh met Union home minister Amit Shah and Union health minister J P Nadda in New Delhi on Saturday.The meetings assume significance amid speculation in political circles that Amarinder Singh was unhappy with the party leadership's decisions regarding the Punjab unit. The developments also fuelled discussions about his political future. The speculation gained further traction after former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda claimed that the former Punjab chief minister was in touch with them, triggering talk of a possible return to the party.However, Amarinder rubbished speculation about leaving the BJP and rejoining the Congress, asserting that there is "no truth" in such reports and describing them as mere speculation.Speaking to TOI, Amarinder said Hooda already clarified his remarks, noting that they are good friends, which is a fact. Referring to reports of his possible return to the Congress, Amarinder said there was no truth in them. "At my age, seniority and experience, you cannot go from one party to another," he said. Terming the reports as speculation, he added that such rumours would continue and could not be stopped.Sharing photographs of his meeting with Shah on X, Amarinder Singh said he discussed various issues concerning Punjab with the Union Home Minister.Speaking about the meeting, Amarinder Singh said he did not meet Shah and other senior BJP leaders for several months following his knee surgery. He said he sought an appointment with Shah, who was available, and therefore went to meet him."I did not meet the Union Home Minister and other senior leaders for many months after my knee surgery. I sought time and he was available today, so I went to meet him," Amarinder Singh said.He said the discussion centred on Punjab's longstanding issues, including the drug menace, law and order, and gangsterism in the state. He added that Shah enquired about the situation in Punjab and that the two had regular interactions when Shah was the Union Home Minister and he was the Chief Minister of Punjab.With the Punjab assembly elections scheduled for 2027, Amarinder Singh said there were no discussions regarding the polls or any alliance with a political party, adding that it was too early to deliberate on such matters.