Capt Amarinder expected to arrive in Delhi today, all eyes on who he meets

Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh is expected to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday setting off speculation on the nature of his engagements in the capital.

This will be his first visit since he resigned as CM. Sources close to the former Punjab chief minister said the programme to visit Delhi was made last week and the schedules were now being formalised.

Asked if he would meet the BJP top brass, which is said to be in touch with Amarinder, sources did not confirm any official meeting and said there were likely to be a host of engagements.

After resigning as Punjab CM, Amarinder had made it clear that he would “sacrifice anything to keep PPCC chief Navjot Sidhu from becoming CM since Sidhu is dangerous for the country and Punjab”.

It remains to be seen if Amarinder will openly engage with the BJP leaders amid speculation that he may meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on a day when Punjab ministers’ portfolios were announced and Deputy CM Sukhjinder Randhawa was given the home department.

Singh has been vocal about the “threat to Punjab security from Pakistan” and days before quitting as CM he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the issue.

Although it is being speculated that he may meet Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, there’s no official word on any of these meetings.

He is also likely to meet some senior Congress leaders in Delhi, including some members of the G23 group.

The visit is being keenly watched in Punjab political circles and also nationally.

A source said Amarinder may also become active in the All India Jat Mahasabha of which he was elected president in 2013, when he was divested of the Punjab unit presidency, which was given to Partap Singh Bajwa.

BJP sources say, “No meeting scheduled yet between Capt and Shah.” Possibilities of a meeting, however, have not been completely ruled out.

Meanwhile, Raveen Thukral, Amatinder’s media adviser, said: “Too much is being read into @capt_amarinder’s visit to Delhi. He’s on a personal visit, during which he’ll meet some friends and also vacate Kapurthala House for the new CM. No need for any unnecessary speculation”.

TNS