Soon after taking over as PPCC chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu had marked a dera (a sect) to go – the famous Sach Khand Ballan in Jalandhar, a dera of the Ravidassia community revered by the Dalit community. Charanjit Singh Chhani, 59, a close friend who understood the importance of Dera politics in the state, was also with him.
Sidhu and Channi get along well and have many common interests. An interesting aspect of Chhani’s political career is her strong belief in astrology, which Sidhu also likes. The PCC chief wanted someone ‘safe’ who was not a nuisance but a facilitator. Chini fit the bill perfectly.
It is no surprise that Sidhu strongly objected to Sukhjinder Randhawa’s name being almost finalised. He wanted his man to lead the government. Channi, who was a three-time MLA from Chamkaur Sahib assembly constituency, was instrumental in ousting Captain Amarinder Singh from power by openly rhetoric against the government. So much so that he accompanied her almost everywhere, Sidhu went after her appointment.
Sidhu, who accompanied Channi to the Raj Bhavan on Sunday and could not hide the victory shining on his face, tweeted: “Historic!! The first Dalit CM-designation of Punjab… will be written in golden letters in history. Salute to the Constitution and the spirit of Congress !! Congratulations.”
Channi has been on Sidhu’s side ever since he stepped down as a minister in the government led by Sidhu. At the first meeting of the dissidents, held at a private house in Panchkula in April, Channi was leading from the front and became known as the face of rebellion against his own chief minister.
Channi, like Sidhu, has been very critical of the government’s inaction against sacrilege cases in 2015, has been critical of Badal and has repeatedly and publicly questioned the government’s policies of the government led by Capt.
Political observers say this has been the biggest reason why Randhawa’s nomination was canceled at the last minute and Channi was chosen instead, essentially making Sidhu the de facto chief minister for the next five months.
With 33 per cent of the Dalit population in the state and Punjab’s politics considered Jat-centric, observers say the appointment of a Dalit to the top post has given an interesting twist to the state’s politics.
Channi will be the second Chief Minister of Punjab from Malwa region. Earlier, Giani Zail Singh was the Chief Minister from 1972 to 1977 by winning from Anandpur Sahib-Ropar assembly constituency.
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