Amarinder Singh quits as Punjab CM only months before state elections

Congress leader Amarinder Singh resigned as Punjab's Chief Minister on Saturday only months before assembly elections in the state. The decision follows a long-running power tussle in the Punjab Congress that had polarised the state's ruling party.

"They may appoint someone as CM on whom they have confidence. Whatever the Congress president decided is fine," said Singh at an address to the media at the Raj Bhavan gate regarding his decision. "I had taken a decision in the morning after speaking to the Congress President, I told her I will resign," he added.

Singh submitted his resignation along with that of his council of ministers, as per the CM's office.




Over 50 MLAs in the party have written to party president Sonia Gandhi seeking that Singh be replaced as chief minister. However, the decision came after a meeting of legislators close to the ex-CM at his official residence in Chandigarh recently.

"I feel humiliated by the way talks transpired. I spoke with the Congress president this morning, told them that I will be resigning today. This is the third time in recent months in meeting MLAs, which is why I decided to quit," he said.

The resignation comes ahead of the crucial Congress Legislature Party meeting slated for today evening.

"I will consult with my supporters and decide the future course of action," Singh said.

Singh was accompanied by his wife and MP Preneet Kaur and son Raninder Singh when he submitted his resignation to Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

"I am proud to accompany my father to Raj Bhawan when he submits his resignation as CM of Punjab and leads us as head of our family into a new beginning," Raninder Singh said in a tweet earlier.