Months before the crucial Punjab Assembly Elections, Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh resigned from the top post on Saturday (18 September 2021). He submitted his resignation to the Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh saying that he had been "humiliated thrice" and now the Congress party is free to select whoever they trust.
Reasons for Punjab CM Resignation: Key Points
1. The ongoing farmers’ protest over the contentions farm bills portrayed Amarinder Singh as a silent spectator. But last week, he asked those taking part in the protest to focus on the "Union government" in Delhi and leave Punjab. His statement drew sharp criticism from the opposition. Singh said, "If you want to build pressure on the Union government, then shift your protest to the National Capital. Do not disturb Punjab with your protests”.
2. There was an unexpected meeting of Punjab MLAs announced by the Congress on Friday night, with hints that a many of them had asked for change. Harish Rawat, Congress's Punjab in-charge tweeted about the meeting & Singh's competitor Navjot Singh Sidhu shared the post.
3. According to sources, more than 50 MLAs had written to Sonia Gandhi asking that the "Captain" be replaced as Chief Minister.
4. He said, "I was humiliated thrice by the Congress leadership in the last two months. They invited the MLAs to Delhi twice and now convened CLP (MLAs' meeting) today (Saturday). Seemingly, they do not have confidence in me & did not think I could handle my job. I felt humiliated at the way in which they handled the whole affair so it's now up to them to appoint anyone they trust".
5. The three leaders who can replace Singh are former Punjab Congress chiefs - Pratap Singh Bajwa & Sunil Jakhar and Ravneet Singh Bittu.
6. The Punjab crisis has intensified dramatically over the CM’s festering dispute with Navjot Sidhu. In July, despite the Chief Minister's strong resistance, the party appointed Sidhu its state chief, but the bitterness stayed barely below the surface.
7. The truce began unravelling with a dispute over advisers appointed by Navjot Sidhu and their contentious statements, which Singh publicly criticized. In Aug, 4 ministers and around 2 dozen party legislators raised fresh complaints against Singh, saying that they had no faith in his ability to honour poll promises.
Raninder Singh (Amarinder Singh's son) said I am proud to accompany my father to Raj Bhawan when he submits his resignation as Punjab CM and leads us as head of our family into a new beginning et all.
