Breaking News: Rahul Gandhi announced Congress Punjab CM Face

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, named Charanjit Singh Channi as his party’s chief ministerial candidate in the high-stakes Punjab Assembly elections on Sunday. Mr. Rahul Gandhi made the statement during a virtual rally in Ludhiana, Punjab.

The rise of the 58-year-old Dalit legislator from Chamkaur Sahib has been almost meteoric. More so since key leaders such as Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu were vying for the party’s statewide leadership.

The Congress, for its side, has stated that before announcing the CM face, it conducted a consultation with party workers. Nonetheless, Channi had a number of solid advantages that the party could not afford to overlook.

“The people of Punjab have stated we need a chief minister from a ‘gareeb ghar’ (poor family),” Mr. Gandhi remarked.

“I thank everyone. This is a big battle which I can’t fight alone. I don’t have the money, courage to fight it. The people of Punjab will fight this battle,’ Channi said.

The main contenders for the party’s CM face were Charanjit Singh Channi and Navjot Singh Sidhu, however both had assured Rahul Gandhi that whoever was chosen would stand by the decision.

On February 14, 2022, the Punjab Assembly Election will be held in a single phase for 117 constituencies. The results of the election will be announced on March 10.

Navjot Singh Sindhu will run in the forthcoming Punjab elections from Amritsar East, while Charanjit Singh Channi will run from both Bhadaur and Chamkaur Sahib.

Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, a Jat Sikh, was the other main contender for the party’s Chief Minister face.

Through an automated call system, the party solicited comments from its leaders and workers, as well as the public’s views on who should be its chief ministerial candidate.

Mr. Gandhi also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “king” rather than a PM. Have you seen him helping anyone on roadside, he asks?

Punjab, Goa, Manipur, UP and Uttarakhand will vote over seven phases starting February 10, with counting of votes scheduled for March 10.

First Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab: 

Channi holds the distinction of becoming Punjab’s first Dalit chief minister, in a state where Jat-Sikhs have long controlled politics.

Dalits, however, make up a significant portion of the population, accounting for 32 percent.

The Congress has attempted to gain the moral high ground by portraying itself as a champion of Dalit rights. If someone other than Channi had been named, competing parties may have claimed that Channi was only a “night watchman.”

With the exception of the BJP, all competitor parties are led by Jat Sikhs. The ambitious community includes AAP politician Bhagwant Mann and Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Badal.

With the exception of the BJP, all competitor parties are led by Jat Sikhs. The enterprising community includes AAP politician Bhagwant Mann and Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Badal. 

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