Rahul Gandhi’s ‘favourite BJP politician’ is Amarinder Singh: Here’s what the former Punjab CM said
Chandigarh/IBNS: Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has reaffirmed his ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while acknowledging his personal bond with the Gandhi family after Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called him his "favourite politician" from the ruling camp.
Gandhi made the remark during an 'Ask Me Anything' session with Instagram users as part of his outreach campaign targeting the Gen Z community.
When asked to name his favourite politician from the BJP, Gandhi picked his former colleague and said, "I get along with him; he is cool. He is an expert on military history so I like him quite a lot. Hello, Uncle Amarinder."
"Hello, Uncle Amarinder!"
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 6, 2026
LoP Shri @RahulGandhi gives a warm shoutout to his favourite politician from the BJP. pic.twitter.com/kwgQPDZ5SV
Amarinder Singh responds to Rahul Gandhi
Responding to Gandhi's comment, Singh acknowledged his longstanding relationship with Congress veterans Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi but reiterated his commitment to the BJP.
Singh said he has known Rahul Gandhi and his sister, parliamentarian Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, since their childhood. He added that their father and former Prime Minister, the late Rajiv Gandhi, was his classmate and friend.
Recalling his family's political background, Singh said his mother was a parliamentarian from a rival political party when he was elected as a Congress MP in 1980.
As quoted by NDTV, Singh said, "Would that mean I won't be getting along well with my mother?"
Amarinder Singh's break with Congress
Amarinder Singh was a veteran Congress leader for decades and served as Punjab Chief Minister twice. His break with the party unfolded in stages.
September 2021: Resignation as Punjab CM
Singh resigned as Punjab Chief Minister in September 2021 following a prolonged power struggle with the Punjab Congress leadership, particularly then-state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
At the time, Singh said he felt humiliated by the manner in which the party leadership handled him.
October 2021: Launch of Punjab Lok Congress
After resigning as Chief Minister, Singh made it clear that he would leave the Congress, although he initially denied that he was immediately joining the BJP.
In October 2021, he launched the Punjab Lok Congress (PLC), positioning it as an independent political force ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.
2022 Punjab Assembly election
The Punjab Lok Congress contested the 2022 Assembly election in alliance with the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).
However, the alliance performed poorly as the Aam Aadmi Party secured a sweeping victory and formed the government in Punjab.
September 2022: Amarinder joins BJP
On September 19, 2022, Amarinder Singh formally joined the BJP after merging the Punjab Lok Congress with the party.
Despite his long standing personal ties with the Gandhi family, Singh has since remained associated with the BJP.
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