New Delhi: Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab and will take oath as the new Chief Minister following the resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh.
In-charge of Punjab Affairs Harish Rawat wrote, “I am extremely happy to announce that Shri Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of Punjab Congress Legislature Party.”
It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Mr. #CharanjitSinghChanni Unanimously elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab.@INCIndia Rahul Gandhi @INCPunjab pic.twitter.com/iboTOvavPd
Harish Rawat (Harishravattmuk) September 19, 2021
This surprising announcement came after it was reported that the name of Sukhjinder Randhawa was proposed for the CM post by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) after discussions with the MLAs of Punjab.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended a meeting chaired by party president Sonia Gandhi to decide on the name. On Saturday, the Interim Speaker was authorized by the Congress Legislature Party to take the final decision.
Charanjit Singh Channi, who is an MLA from Chamkaur Sahib assembly constituency, served as the Minister of Technical Education and Industrial Training in the Government of Punjab.
He had earlier also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 2015 to 2016.
Charanjit Channi Ramdassia belongs to the Sikh community and his appointment as the Chief Minister of Punjab is being seen as a significant step by the Congress party ahead of the crucial assembly elections due in early 2022.
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Capt Amarinder Singh resigns
The Punjab Congress crisis took a dramatic turn on Saturday with Congress veteran Captain Amarinder Singh resigning as the Chief Minister of Punjab, less than five months before the crucial assembly elections. He said he felt “humiliated” by the way the party handled the long-standing crisis.
When asked about Amarinder Singh’s remark on feeling humiliated, Sukhjinder Randhawa replied: “So far, BJP has changed five chief ministers. And in Congress too, some chief ministers have changed. In Congress, Amarinder Singh’s max. The tenure is of nine and a half years as chief minister. The respect he got, I think no other chief minister has got so much respect”, PTI reported.
Earlier, in a significant revelation, Congress MP Ambika Soni said that she rejected the offer to become the next CM of Punjab as she believes that the CM face should be Sikh.
Besides Randhawa, the names of former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, the party’s current state unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa were in the news for those who are believed to be the successors of Captain Amarinder. .
Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh has congratulated his successor Charanjit Singh Channi. The reaction comes after he strongly opposed Navjot Sidhu’s name for the top post, terming him a “total disaster”, a concern for “national security”, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Regarding his alleged close ties with General Qamar Bajwa.
My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope he is able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border’: @capt_amarinder pic.twitter.com/oO2F6JUZ6J
— Raveen Thukral (@RT_Media_Capt) September 19, 2021
Referring to his remarks against Sidhu, he said, “I hope he is able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border.” The statement was shared by his media advisor.
Congratulating Channi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also wrote, “Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi ji for his new responsibility. We must continue to fulfill the promises made to the people of Punjab. His trust is most important.”
Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi ji for his new responsibility.
We must continue to fulfill the promises made to the people of Punjab. His faith is paramount.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 19, 2021
Channi met the Governor of Punjab and staked claim to form the government. Harish Rawat and party’s central observers Ajay Maken and Harish Chaudhary were with him, news agency PTI reported.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister of Punjab will take place on Monday at 11 am.
Punjab’s nominated Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi after meeting the Governor of the state said, “We have presented our stand before the Governor with the support of party MLAs. The swearing-in ceremony will be held tomorrow at 11 am.
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