Will fight on, says Capt Amarinder Singh

Chandigarh, September 19

Having referred to Navjot Singh Sidhu as “like my son” while addressing the first press conference together before the last Assembly polls, outgoing CM Capt Amarinder Singh today said “back in 2017, I did not know a person like Sidhu, who’s clearly mixed up with the Pakistan leadership, could ever be considered to lead the state and pose a danger to Punjab’s and India’s peace”.

He was replying to a query by The Tribune about the announcement he had made during the last polls that ‘it would be his last’. In a tweet to the people of the state, he had said: “This is my last election and I am committed to bringing back smiles on your faces”.

He said: “When I contested the 2017 elections, I didn’t know the extent of mess left behind by the previous govt. Soon after I took over, I discovered how bad the situation was and had indicated then itself that I will not leave my people till I’ve wiped out their tears. This is even more important now, given the threat to Punjab’s security.”

His message also read: “Punjab suffered enough bloodshed in the 1980s. I will not let that happen again and will continue to fight till I’m sure it’s in safe hands.” — TNS