Amid talk of alliance, Capt Amarinder Singh meets BJP's Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 7

A day after inaugurating the office of the Punjab Lok Congress, former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today held a “private” meeting with BJP state incharge Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

This was the first formal meeting between Capt Amarinder and Shekhawat, who was given the charge of looking after the state affairs in September.

Capt Amarinder had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah from the saffron outfit in Delhi. The meeting with Sekhawat, who is also a Union Minister, is being termed “nothing more than a private meet over lunch”.

A source close to Capt Amarinder said: “There was no major development on any front.” Although no details were given on the ‘one-on-one’ meeting between the two leaders, sources pointed out discussions were held on the election scenario, existing conditions on the ground and the best way forward.

Capt Amarinder has already pointed out that in-principle decision had been taken on an alliance with the BJP. Although he also pointed out that the Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) was also on board for a possible alliance, the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led outfit has not yet given any confirmation in this regard. Meanwhile, Capt Amarinder has lashed out at the Congress high command for appointing Ajay Maken as the chairman of the party’s screening committee for shortlisting candidates for the upcoming elections.

In a statement, Capt Amarinder said Maken was the nephew of Lalit Maken, one of the main culprits of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. The Congress should have avoided naming someone like Maken, as the name itself drew “derision and revulsion in Punjab due to the involvement of his late uncle in the anti-Sikh riots.

Hits out at Cong for key role to Maken

• Capt Amarinder has lashed out at the Congress for appointing Ajay Maken as the screening committee chairman
• He said Maken was the nephew of Lalit Maken, one of the main culprits of the 1984 riots in Delhi

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