'Feeling sad for Captain saab': How political class reacted on Amarinder Singh's resignation as Punjab CM

Captain Amarinder Singh’s sudden resignation from the post of Chief Minister of Punjab came just months before Assembly elections and minutes before the crucial Congress Legislature Party meeting are sending shockwaves across the political spectrum.

While the differences that the outgoing Punjab chief minister has with state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu is totally out in the open, the resignation still did come as a surprise. The political class took time to digest the news and the reaction to the fast-paced political development in Punjab came in slow and studied.

Here’s how a few political leaders reacted following Singh’s resignation announcement:

BJP’s national head - Information and Technology Amit Malviya took a swipe at Congress leadership in the manner in which Singh was left with little choice but to resign as chief minister.

The problem is not with replacing a sitting Chief Minister. The problem is when the sitting Chief Minister says he resigned because he was being humiliated.

Well done, Congress.

You just smashed one of your Chief Minister, the only one perhaps, who won you a state, on his own.

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 18, 2021

AAP’s MLA Jarnail Singh blamed the whole of Congress was responsible for Punjab’s plight and the resignation of the chief minister meant nothing.

Only Capt,s resign doesn't matter,Entire Congress is responsible for Punjab's plight & Fail govt
People of Punjab will answer right time
ਸਿਰਫ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਦੇ ਅਸਤੀਫੇ ਨਾਲ ਕੋਈ ਫਰਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੈਂਦਾ,ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਦੁਰਦਸ਼ਾ ਅਤੇ ਨਕਾਰਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਲਈ ਸਮੁੱਚੀ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰ ਹੈ,ਸਮਾਂ ਆਉਣ ਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਦੇਣਗੇ ਜਵਾਬ pic.twitter.com/TIp4RdX86k

— Jarnail Singh (@JarnailSinghAAP) September 18, 2021

 Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah pointed out that Congress could not contest BJP while there was an ongoing turmoil at home.

I guess it’s too much to expect the Congress to take the fight to the BJP when its state leaders are too busy fighting amongst themselves.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 18, 2021

BJP’s Tejinder Singh Bagga expressed sadness at Singh’s resignation, claiming that the latter was anti-Khalistani.

Feeling sad for captain saab. He was only patriotic person in Congress party. He refused to meet Canadian minister bcz he was Khalistani supporter

— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) September 18, 2021

While the growing rift between Congress member Navjot Singh Sidhu and Singh made for interesting politics, it also marred the Congress’ image as a party that could not keep its politicians in line.

This, in turn, marred Sonia Gandhi’s image as INC chief, many claiming that the high command itself was choosing to stay mum over the issue. According to Singh, when he had earlier tried to broach the topic of resignation with Sonia Gandhi over lack of faith of MLAs, particularly Sidhu, the latter had assured him that the party leadership wanted him at the helm.

Social media users were divided on the issue – some rejoiced, some rooted for Sidhu while others questioned the fate of Punjab at the hands of the political turmoil .