Will Amar Singh join BJP? Modi's speech mentions former-SP strongman
What's the story
Rajya Sabha MP and former Samajwadi leader Amar Singh's presence at an event in Lucknow where PM Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath were present has triggered speculations about him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. Interestingly, the PM referred to Amar Singh in his speech, and the latter smiled. Singh was expelled from Samajwadi Party last year. Here's more about this.
What he said
Singh can tell you about closed meetings: PM Modi
Speaking at Lucknow, the PM said he wasn't afraid to be spotted with industrialists as they like farmers, teachers etc., contributed to nation-building. Further, he slammed Opposition and said earlier deals with industrialists happened behind curtains, but he had nothing to hide. He then said Amar Singh, who is sitting here, can tell you more about such meetings. Singh just smiled after the mention.
Twitter Post
Watch: PM Modi appreciates industrialists, slams previous government
Very sharp retort by PM @narendramodi , in a speech in Lucknow, on allegations of crony capitalism. Buckle up for more turbulence folks. pic.twitter.com/FyISdGE2wt
— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) July 29, 2018
Looking back
Won't say no to joining BJP, Singh had said
Earlier, Singh met CM Yogi Adityanath on July 23. After the CM flagged off electric buses, Singh was seen at his residence. Notably, when he was asked about joining BJP, Amar Singh said, "I won't say that I will not join the BJP if I get a chance, but who is giving me the chance? I have not sent them any request letter either."
The rise
Singh was instrumental in building Samajwadi Party
Singh's over three-decade-long political career hasn't been sans controversies. When he joined SP (1996), the party was only four years old. He proved to be resourceful in turning the regional party to a national one- he brought connections and glamor (with Bollywood). Till he was ousted from SP, Singh was close to Mulayam Singh Yadav. But, he has been absent from political circles lately.
Career
Will BJP revive Amar Singh's almost dusted political career?
In 2011, Amar Singh started his own party Rashtriya Lok Manch, and fielded candidates for 2012 Assembly polls, but failed. Ahead of 2014 elections, he attempted reviving his career, but that too didn't work out. Now with speculations being rife about possible saffron-jump, will Singh come back at the center of Indian politics, a place where he stayed for years? Only time will tell.