Amarinder Singh

Amarinder Singh succeeded his father as titular Maharaja of Patiala following the abolition of princely titles by the Indian government. He inherited the royal legacy but focused on a political career, joining the Indian National Congress.

Amarinder Singh was elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from the Patiala constituency on a Congress ticket. This marked his formal entry into electoral politics, representing the royal family's shift from princely rule to democratic governance.

Amarinder Singh resigned from the Indian National Congress in protest of the Indian Army's Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He criticized the government's handling of the Sikh insurgency, distancing himself from the party.

Amarinder Singh founded the Shiromani Akali Dal (Patiala) faction, a breakaway from the main Akali Dal. The party aimed to represent Sikh interests while opposing militancy, but it failed to gain significant electoral traction.

Amarinder Singh led the Congress party to victory in the Punjab assembly elections and became Chief Minister. His first term focused on economic development and improving law and order after the militancy years.

Amarinder Singh was re-elected as Chief Minister of Punjab after the Congress won a landslide victory. His second term focused on farm debt relief, industrial growth, and handling the ongoing farmers' protests against central farm laws.

Amarinder Singh resigned as Chief Minister of Punjab following a power struggle within the Congress party and criticism over his handling of the 2021 farmers' protests. He cited humiliation by the party leadership as the reason.

After leaving the Congress, Amarinder Singh founded the Punjab Lok Congress party. The party contested the 2022 Punjab assembly elections but failed to win any seats, marking a decline in his political influence.