As soon as General JJ Singh joined Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), party president Sukhbir Singh Badal announced his candidature from Patiala (Urban) Assembly constituency, the traditional stronghold of Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh.
Announcing the Gen’s candidature, Sukhbir said JJ Singh had approached the SAD and evinced an interest to give back to the city where he had lived and grown up as a child. “We immediately agreed given the Gen’s stupendous contribution to the nation”.
Badal said the former Army chief’s candidature from Patiala was most befitting. “Both Gen Sahab and Capt Amarinder Singh started together in the Indian Army as course mates. However Amarinder chose to opt out after three years while Gen Sahab reached the very top”.
Gen Singh said he would take the battle to his opponent Capt Amarinder Singh’s camp and attain victory. “I believe in reaching out and winning hearts. The people of Patiala are my own. Amarinder Singh is a scion of the erstwhile Maharaja of Patiala and thinks he can win elections without even stepping out of his house. But now he will realise whom he is facing. He is facing the son of the solider whose three generations have served in the armed forces. He will face the heat soon”.
The former Army chief, who was accompanied by a number of army officers including lt Gen (retd) Bachittar Singh and noted Punjabi writer Gulzaar Singh Sandhu, also castigated Capt Amarinder Singh for trying to belittle me. “Amarinder has said he will make me remember my naani. This kind of remark is testament of his arrogant nature”. He also said he would work in Patiala as per the guidance of the party as well as its manifesto.