Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has made it clear that he remains politically committed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), even though he continues to share a personal relationship with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his family.
The issue gained attention after Rahul Gandhi recently mentioned Amarinder Singh during an Instagram “Ask Me Anything” session. Rahul described Amarinder as his favourite BJP leader and also referred to him as “uncle.” He praised Amarinder’s knowledge of military history, which quickly attracted attention from political circles.
Personal Relationship With Gandhi Family
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s comments, Amarinder Singh said that his political relationship with the BJP is separate from his personal relationships with the Gandhi family.
Amarinder explained that he has known Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra since they were children. He also had a close friendship with Rahul’s father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Because of this long history, Amarinder said that his personal connection with the Gandhi family will continue even though he is no longer part of the Congress party.
From Congress to BJP
Amarinder Singh was a senior Congress leader and served as the Chief Minister of Punjab for several years. However, differences between him and the Congress leadership eventually became serious.
He resigned as Punjab Chief Minister in 2021 following a political crisis within the state Congress unit. After leaving the Congress, he formed his own party, the Punjab Lok Congress (PLC).
In 2022, Amarinder joined the BJP after merging his party with it. His decision to leave Congress was linked to his disagreements with the Gandhi family and the party’s leadership.
Amarinder has previously said that he felt personally hurt by the way he was treated during the political dispute.
Different Views on BJP and Congress
Although Amarinder is now firmly associated with the BJP, he has also expressed criticism of the party’s working style.
In December 2025, he reportedly said that the BJP could be less flexible and consultative than the Congress. His comments created discussion in Punjab because he was criticizing the party he had chosen to join.
However, his latest comments suggest that these differences have not changed his political position. He continues to support the BJP while maintaining that personal friendships should not be affected by political disagreements.
Rahul Gandhi’s Comments Create Attention
Rahul Gandhi’s decision to name Amarinder as his favourite BJP leader was notable because the two are now members of rival political parties.
Rahul’s friendly reference to Amarinder also highlighted the difference between political competition and personal relationships. Amarinder’s response made it clear that he values his long-standing connection with the Gandhi family despite being politically aligned with the BJP.
The exchange has attracted attention in Punjab and across political circles. It also shows how Indian politics can involve both strong political differences and long-standing personal relationships.
For Amarinder Singh, however, there appears to be no confusion about his political position. He has reaffirmed his loyalty to the BJP while making it clear that his personal ties with Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family remain intact.