Rahul Gandhi Names BJP’s Amarinder Singh His Favourite Leader

Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, made a rare cross-party admission on Thursday, naming Punjab’s former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh as his favourite politician from the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Gen Z Reaches Out on Instagram

The revelation came during a special Instagram “Ask Me Anything” session, part of Gandhi’s wider effort to connect with young voters following recent student protests in Delhi over the paper-leak controversy tied to NEET-UG 2026. Fielding a range of questions from students, Gandhi was asked to name his favourite politician from the opposing camp. He responded that he shares an easy rapport with Amarinder Singh, calling him personable and easy to get along with.

A Shared Interest in Military History

Gandhi went on to explain that his admiration stems largely from Amarinder Singh’s standing as a military history expert. The former Punjab CM, who left the Congress party in 2021, has authored several well-regarded books on military history and warfare, drawing on his own service during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War as well as his royal lineage from the erstwhile Patiala princely family. Gandhi indicated that this shared interest in military affairs was a key reason for his fondness toward the veteran leader.

The lighthearted moment stood out amid an otherwise serious outreach session focused on student grievances and youth concerns, offering a glimpse of the more informal side of India’s political rivalries. Amarinder Singh, once a prominent Congress face before joining the BJP, has long been known for his interest in strategic and military affairs alongside his political career.