CHANDIGARH, May 26: Former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee Member Capt Amarinder Singh today hailed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invite to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his swearing in ceremony.
He said, with Mr Sharif responding positively it had sent a positive signal across the sub-continent, particular Punjab which is going to benefit a lot once the relationship between the two countries improve.
In an informal conversation with reporters after formally submitting his resignation from Patiala assembly segment, after his election to the parliament from Amritsar, to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal here today, Capt Amarinder said, during his campaign he had preached peace between India and Pakistan in the overall interests of the two countries and Punjab also. He hoped that the two countries move in trust and confidence.
He said, the border cities in Punjab like Amritsar and Ferozepur have a revival in trade as it will not only extend up to Pakistan but right up to the Central Asia and Middle East. “I wish and hope this process leads to the logical conclusion”, he said.
Replying to a question on the anti-drug drive launched by the state government Capt Amarinder said, “if they (the government) have the right intentions I welcome it, but it won’t solve any problem till the big fish in not caught”.
On the issue of representation to Akali Dal in the union ministry, the CWC member said, although it was the discretion of the party to nominate its minister but Ranjit Singh Brahmpura should have got preference since he had given his entire life to the party and was one of the senior most leader there. However, he added, the Badals are known for that as they cannot look beyond their own family.
Earlier, Capt Amarinder personally submitted his resignation to the Speaker. He was accompanied by party colleagues and senior leader Rana Gurjeet Singh, Capt Sandeep Sandhu, BIS Chahal, Major Amardeep, Karanpal Singh Sekhon, Sukwinder Singh Sukhi, Vimal Sumbly, Jaspal Dhillon and others.