NEW DELHI: The war of words between ousted Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and the Congress got bitter on Friday.
Senior Congress leader and Punjab in charge Harish Rawat fired the first salvo. Rawat cited Amarinder’s proximity to Amit Shah and questioned his secular credentials, evoking a strong retort from the former Punjab CM who said even his enemies don’t doubt his integrity in this regard.
Denying Amarinder’s charge of being humiliated by the Congress, Rawat said “It appears from Captain’s recent statements that he is under some sort of pressure. He should rethink, and not help BJP directly or indirectly.”
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“Amarinder Singh was Punjab Congress president thrice and chief minister twice. Is it humiliation? He should compare himself with senior party leaders who had got much less than him in terms of opportunities,” the former Uttarakhand chief minister said.

Rawat said there was a general perception throughout Punjab that Captain & the Badals are helping each other and they’ve a secret understanding … Many prominent ministers came to Delhi with complaint that with Captain at the helm of affairs, the Congress can’t win the elections.
The Congress leader also questioned Amarinder’s performance as the chief minister.
Amarinder reacted strongly to Rawat’s charge and said the Congress is resorting to such attacks as it is in a pathetic condition in Punjab.
“The world saw the humiliation and the insult heaped on me, and yet (Harish) Rawat is making claims to the contrary. If this was not humiliation then what was it?” the former Punjab CM said.
“If the party didn’t intend to humiliate me then why was Navjot Singh Sidhu allowed to openly criticise and attack me on social media and other public platforms for months? Why did the party give the rebels, led by Sidhu, a free hand in undermining my authority?” Amarinder asked.
Reacting to Rawat’s comment regarding his secular credentials, Amarinder Singh said even his worst critics and enemies could not doubt his integrity in this regard.
“But I am no longer surprised that a senior and seasoned Congress leader like Rawat is questioning my secular credentials. It is quite evident that I am no longer trusted and respected in the party that I have served loyally all these years,” he added.
Amarinder Singh also asked why the Congress was allowing Sidhu to hold the party to ransom and continue to dictate terms.
“What is the pressure he exerts on the party leadership that they are so defenceless against him and are allowing him to have his way even at the cost of the Congress’ future in Punjab?” he asked.