Captain Amarinder Singh Resigns: Who will be next Punjab CM?

Chandigarh, Sep 18: After the resignation of Punjab chief minister, the name of veteran Congress leader Sunil Jakhar has emerged as a frontrunner to replace Amarinder Singh. Reportedly, the party wants to project non Sikh face ahead of polls to couner AAP which is gaining ground in the state.

The names of senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, Ambika Soni, Vijay Inder Singla is also doing rounds for the top post. However, reports suggest that the Congress will not contest next Assembly polls under new chief ministers leadership.

Ending months of power tussle, Congress veteran Amarinder Singh resigned as the chief minister of Punjab, as the state headed for elections in just about four months.

"I feel humiliated," Singh told reporters outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan after submitting his resignation to Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

"I have resigned, let them make anyone (next CM)," he further said.

He submitted his resignation along with that of his council of ministers, his media adviser said.

Singh''s resignation came just ahead of a crucial meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Saturday evening.

"I spoke to the Congress president in the morning and I told her that I am resigning today," Amarinder told reporters.

"They called the MLAs to Delhi twice and now convened a CLP here in Chandigarh today," he said.

"I think if there is an element of doubt on me that I could not run (the government) or if there was something else, I feel humiliated the way things have happened," he said.

Asked about his future course of action, he said, "As far as my future politics is concerned, there is always an option and I will use that option when time comes."

To a question on joining any other party, he said, "Whatever you have to say, you can say. I can only tell you that I have been a chief minister from the Congress. And I am in the Congress and I will consult my colleagues and then we will decide the future course of politics."

"I have only resigned for myself," he said to another question.

"I hereby tender my resignation as the chief minister, and that of my council of ministers," the one-line resignation letter said.