Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has never consulted him on Punjab-related policy matters, while also claiming that the party does not fully understand the state's ground realities.
Speaking during an interaction at The Tribune Newsroom, Captain Amarinder Singh reflected on Punjab’s political and security challenges, criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, and discussed issues ranging from drug trafficking and border security to the upcoming Assembly elections.
The former Chief Minister, who served Punjab twice between 2002-2007 and 2017-2021, said he had witnessed some of the most turbulent periods in the state's history, including the Naxalite movement, the Khalistan militancy era, Operation Blue Star, and Operation Black Thunder.
Assessing the current situation in Punjab, Amarinder Singh alleged that the state government had failed to exercise effective control and claimed that issues such as drug trafficking, unemployment, and public dissatisfaction among farmers were increasing. He said there was little positive he could point to in the present governance scenario and expressed concern about Punjab’s future.
Addressing the issue of drug abuse, Amarinder Singh rejected claims that he had promised to completely eliminate drugs within six months of assuming office in 2017. He clarified that his commitment had been to make every possible effort to break the backbone of the drug trade rather than making claims of an overnight solution.
The former Chief Minister detailed the actions taken during his administration against narcotics trafficking. According to him, a Special Task Force and a Special Investigation Team were created to tackle the menace. He stated that between April 2017 and August 2021, authorities registered 48,107 cases under the NDPS Act, arrested 62,535 individuals, and seized 2,216 kilograms of heroin.
Amarinder Singh also spoke about the growing challenge posed by drones allegedly carrying weapons, narcotics, and counterfeit currency across the international border. He said he repeatedly raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his tenure, stressing the need for stronger countermeasures.
According to him, the Centre initially underestimated the scale of the problem. He argued that security agencies deployed along the border were not adequately trained to deal with drone-based smuggling operations when the threat first emerged.
Discussing Pakistan, Amarinder Singh alleged that keeping Punjab and India unstable served Pakistan’s strategic interests. He maintained that India should remain firm in its approach and said that meaningful engagement with Pakistan could only be considered if hostile activities ceased.
Turning to Punjab politics ahead of the Assembly elections, the former Chief Minister described the political landscape as fragmented. He claimed that both the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress were facing internal divisions, while expressing doubts about the credibility of the current state government.
When asked about BJP’s prospects in Punjab, Amarinder Singh said the party had historically contested elections as a junior ally and had never independently developed a strong statewide political base. However, he reiterated his support for alliance politics, arguing that coalition-building remains important for forming a stable government in Punjab.
Responding to questions about whether he would be the BJP’s face in the upcoming Assemblyelections, Amarinder Singh ruled out such a possibility. Reflecting on his public life, he said he had already enjoyed a long and fulfilling career, adding that his first love had always been the Indian Army.
On speculation regarding potential chief ministerial candidates from the BJP or its allies, Amarinder Singh said he could not comment because the BJP had never sought his views. He further revealed that he had not attended a single meeting with party leaders on Punjab policy or political strategy over the past five years.
Asked whether the BJP understood Punjab, the former Chief Minister gave a blunt response, saying that in his view, the party did not fully understand the state.
Amarinder Singh also rejected allegations linking senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia to drug trafficking, describing such accusations as rumours unless supported by direct evidence of involvement. He maintained that individuals should not be blamed without proof.
On the question of leadership, Amarinder Singh said Punjab needed capable governance rather than decisions based on gender, caste, or community. He argued that the most qualified person should be chosen to lead the state, regardless of background.