Chandigarh: Speculation over former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s possible return to the Congress has intensified after senior Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the veteran leader remains in contact with the party.
Speaking to reporters, Hooda described Capt Amarinder as a senior Congress leader and a longtime colleague, adding that he continues to be in touch with party leaders. His remarks have triggered fresh political discussions about a potential homecoming for the former Punjab Chief Minister ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Political observers note that Hooda and Capt Amarinder share a long-standing personal and political relationship, leading to speculation that efforts may be underway to bring the veteran leader back into the Congress fold.
The discussion has gained momentum amid Capt Amarinder’s recent comments on political developments in Punjab, including his criticism of the BJP’s internal decision-making process.
Recently, Capt Amarinder had publicly questioned the appointment of Keval Singh Dhillon as Punjab BJP president, stating that he was not consulted before the decision was taken. He remarked that while Dhillon had remained politically active, his performance on the ground had not matched expectations.
Drawing a comparison between the Congress and BJP, Capt Amarinder said that during his tenure as Punjab Congress president, major decisions were generally taken after consultations with senior leaders. He contrasted this with what he described as a top-down decision-making structure within the BJP.
Responding to the speculation, Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Balliewal downplayed Hooda’s remarks, saying that being in contact with political leaders was not unusual and that no conclusions should be drawn from the statement alone.
Neither Capt Amarinder Singh nor the Congress leadership has officially commented on reports suggesting a possible return to the party.
