The Punjab Lok Congress, led by Captain Amarinder Singh, rejoiced when Rahul Gandhi announced Charanjit Singh Channi as the party's chief minister candidate for the upcoming Punjab Assembly Election 2022. The Punjab Lok Congress stated that a picture is worth a thousand words, posting a photo of Rahul Gandhi, Navjot Sidhu, Charanjit Singh Channi, and Sunil Jakhar standing together holding each other's hand up, but Sidhu's shawl accidentally covering his face. According to the tweet, Sidhu has been eclipsed in Punjab politics, with Channi taking on the role of the chief minister.
On the other hand, Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu is reportedly not garnering enough support. Earlier, sources had indicated that the Sonia Gandhi-led party elicited the suggestions of Congress workers on the CM candidate via the Shakti App. Moreover, the common people have also started receiving recorded calls asking them to choose options such as Channi, Sidhu, or no CM face. Ex-Congress president Rahul Gandhi shall announce the Punjab CM face in a virtual rally at Ludhiana on Sunday.
The conclusion had been anticipated since Congress had announced collective leadership earlier. While both Channi and Sidhu pressed Rahul Gandhi to name a CM candidate during his last visit, Rahul Gandhi indicated the party would make a decision depending on public opinion. According to public opinion, Channi was ahead of Sidhu, and his name was announced without regard for Sidhu.
"Nothing great was ever achieved without an act of decision …. Warm welcome to our leading light Rahul Ji, who comes to give clarity to Punjab …. All will abide by his decision!!!" Sidhu tweeted early on Sunday. "You won't," Amarinder Singh's party replied.
For the longest time, Punjab has experienced internal Congress strife, with Amarinder Singh and Sidhu at odds. Sidhu threw his normal tantrums after Channi was appointed chief minister, but Channi calmed him down.
All prominent Congress leaders agreed to support each other ahead of the announcement of the CM candidate.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which is expected to give the Congress a tough fight this time, criticized the selection, saying it is "sad" that the Congress chose a CM who "sold the sand of Punjab."
Congress gained a huge 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly in 2017, while Shiromani Akali Dal only managed to win 18 seats. Navjot Sidhu, on the other hand, began criticizing Captain Amarinder Singh for the delayed prosecution of sacrilege and narcotics charges, resulting in infighting within the party. While Singh was forced to resign as CM on September 18, 2021, Charanjit Singh Channi was elected two days later, edging out Sidhu. The Punjab Congress president, on the other hand, has been at odds with the current Chief Minister over the appointment of an Advocate General and a DGP, as well as the announcement of freebies.
After being fielded from two seats in the Punjab elections, Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur, speculation regarding Channi becoming the Chief Ministerial face gathered traction. On February 3, he expressed appreciation to the people of the state for "liking him, for making him popular" in an exclusive interview with Republic TV. At the same time, Channi stated that he will respect the choice of the party's CM candidate.
Meanwhile, Sunil Jakhar made public his resentment over being ignored for the CM's post. He claimed that he had received the maximum number of votes-42 in the Congress Legislative Party meeting held after Amarinder Singh's resignation while Sidhu and Channi secured just 12 and 2 votes respectively. Sidhu has also continued to exert pressure on the party high command by alleging that the leadership "want a CM who dances to their tunes". As per sources, Channi has secured a big lead in the Congress survey on the CM candidate.
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