The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Wednesday, said that it is open to joining hands with Captain Amarinder Singh after he hinted towards forming an alliance with the former in the forthcoming Assembly polls. BJP general secretary and party in charge of Punjab affairs Dushyant Gautam said that Singh’s decision to quit Congress and launch a party is a move away from the ‘dynasty’ and a step in the direction of nationalism. He further added that the BJP was open to forming alliances with those who put the national interest first.

“Our main agenda is nationalism and keeping the nation first. All those parties who want to form alliances with us on this agenda are welcome,” he said.

Gautam said that Singh spoke about resolving the farmer’s issue and ‘not about ending farmers’ agitation’. “Our main agenda is nationalism and keeping the nation first. All those parties who want to form alliances with us on this agenda are welcome… He (Amarinder Singh) was a soldier. He knows about the threats to the country and how to secure it is.

“He is patriotic. And whenever it was a matter of national security and security at the borders, we have appreciated his stand,” Gautam said. It is learnt that nothing has been finalised yet and Singh needs time to form his party and clarify his views on key issues in the state.

On Tuesday, Captain Amarinder Singh announced that he will be floating a new political party and hinted that he was open towards forming an alliance with the BJP. Days ago, after resigning as Punjab CM and quitting the Congress party over a bitter feud with Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, Singh had met Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.