Last year when former CM Capt Amarinder Singh was expelled from the Assembly, one man who was quick to claim “victory” was his own party’s Bir Devinder Singh.

Bir had nursed a grudge against Amarinder for denying him the party ticket during the 2007 Assembly elections. It’s been two years since he is out of power, but Bir’s political ordeals are far from over, as his hopes for a Lok Sabha ticket have been grounded. The party high command has chosen first-timer and Youth Congress president Ravneet Bittu over him.

Talking to The Indian Express, an upset Bir said, “It’s unfortunate that this has happened for the second time with me. I need to be explained the grounds on which I have been denied the ticket, despite being the ‘best parliamentarian’.” Now, Bir has started to think beyond the Congress. He said, “All options are open for me. Let me seek the opinion of my supporters. Only then will I decide.” Asked if he was willing for a handshake with the SAD, Bir reiterated that he would like to talk to his people first. Bir’s name was formally in the list of applicants who sought party ticket from Anandpur Sahib. He had met Sonia Gandhi and had even started campaigning.

If fact, it’s not just Amarinder— whom Bir often called a “paper tiger”— who bears the entire “blame” for his political torment this time. Rajya Sabha MP Ambika Soni also shares the blame. Bir, of late, had been equally vocal against Soni.

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