Congress leader Rahul Gandhi surprised many during an Instagram “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session with students by naming former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh as his favourite Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.Responding to a question from a participant, Rahul said he gets along well with Amarinder Singh, describing him as “cool” and praising his deep knowledge of military history. He ended his response with a light-hearted greeting: “Hello, Uncle Amarinder!””Hello, Uncle Amarinder!”LoP Shri @RahulGandhi gives a warm shoutout to his favourite politician from the BJP. pic.twitter.com/kwgQPDZ5SV— Congress (@INCIndia) August 6, 2026The remark attracted attention because Amarinder Singh was one of the Congress party’s tallest leaders before quitting the party and joining the BJP in 2022.Rahul Gandhi’s AMA was part of his continuing outreach to students and younger audiences through social media, where he has increasingly used interactive formats to engage directly with the public.The exchange also comes months after Amarinder Singh spoke positively about Rahul Gandhi despite being in rival political parties.Earlier this year, Amarinder Singh revealed that Rahul had personally wished him on his birthday and also sent a condolence message after the death of his brother, Raja Randhir Singh.”This year, on my birthday, Rahul Gandhi personally extended his greetings to me. Recently, following the passing of my brother Raja Randhir Singh, Rahul Gandhi himself sent a message of condolence. The sad part is that no senior BJP leader even bothered to send a message expressing sympathy,” Amarinder Singh had said in an interview.Amarinder Singh served as Punjab Chief Minister for two terms (first term:  February 26, 2002 – March 1, 2007) and second term (March 16, 2017 – September  20, 2021) under the Congress before stepping down in 2021 amid an internal power struggle.The Congress then appointed Charanjit Singh Channi as the state’s Chief Minister, a development that preceded Amarinder Singh’s exit from the party. He later floated the Punjab Lok Congress before merging it with the BJP in 2022.