Congress also shocked: Charanjit is the first Dalit Chief Minister in Punjab

Chandigarh, Ta. 13

After the resignation of the entire cabinet along with Captain Amarinder Singh, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the Chindya route in Punjab's power play, the Congress announced a name for the new Chief Minister that was nowhere in the race. The Congress on Sunday evening shocked everyone by deciding to make Charanjit Singh Channy the new Chief Minister of Punjab. Charanjit Singh Channi will be the first Dalit Chief Minister after the reorganization of Punjab on the 18th. The Congress has saved both Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab Congress president Navjot Sidhu by appointing Charanjit Singh Channy, who has a clean image, as chief minister, leaving senior leaders behind. Charanjit will be sworn in as Chief Minister on Monday at 11.00 am.

After Capt Amarinder Singh's resignation as Chief Minister on Saturday, Harish Rawat, in-charge of Punjab Congress, tweeted that Charanjit Singh Channy had been selected as the new Chief Minister of Punjab. Rawat tweeted that the decision to make Charanjit Singh Channy the chief minister was taken unanimously at a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party. As soon as he was selected as the Chief Minister, Charjit Singh Channy met the Governor along with Congress in-charge Harish Rawat at 4.30 pm and claimed to form a government in the state.

Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is leading the race for the chief ministership, said it was a decision of the high command. I welcome their decision. Channy is similar to my younger brother. When the name of Charanjit Singh Channy was announced as the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh also tweeted and congratulated him. He said he hoped Charanjit Singh Channi would keep Punjab safe from cross-border challenges.

After Amarinder Singh's resignation, Charanjit's name was nowhere to be seen among the people who were being discussed in the race for the chief ministership. But all of a sudden, by bringing his name in front, the Congress has shocked everyone. According to sources, by making the Dalit leader the chief minister, the Congress has worked to attract a large section of the country's population. The Congress has tried to unite Hindus, Dalits and Sikhs by handing over the helm to a Dalit leader.

By making Charanjit Singh Channy the Chief Minister, the Congress has dealt a major blow to the Akali Dal. Apart from this, the party has handed over the helm to a leader far removed from the internal factionalism of Amarinder and Navjot Singh Sidhu, whose names are not in dispute. The Akali Dal and the BSP have announced an alliance when the state is scheduled to hold assembly elections in March-April 205. Apart from this, the Akali Dal has repeatedly said that if their government is formed, it will make the Dalit leader the Deputy Chief Minister. The Congress is believed to have cut the Akali Dal's vote with this decision and it is likely to get a big lead in the next elections.

Charanjit Singh Channi has become a Congress MLA for the third time since 2009. He represents Shrichamkaur Sahib in the Legislative Assembly. He is considered to be the gigantic leader of the Doab region in Punjab. For the first time in the party, a Dalit leader has been given the helm of the state. In addition, Charanjit Singh is also known for his clean political career. He has previously played the role of Leader of the Opposition in the state. He is currently the Technical Education Minister in Captain Amarinder Singh's cabinet. After Navjot Singh Sidhu became the Punjab Congress president, Channy along with three other ministers, Satyam Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, revolted against Amarinder Singh. However, Charanjit is not even considered Navjot Singh Sidhu's ally. So both Amarinder and Sidhu are happy.