New Delhi:Sikh-Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi, the first Dalit CM-designate from Punjab, has become the new chief minister of Punjab today, replacing veteran leader Capt Amarinder Singh. Highly educated, a sports enthusiast and a strong believer in astrology, the 58-year-old is a man of multiple dimensions.
Channi was born in Punjab’s Bhajauli village near Kurali in 1963. He had his first tryst with politics as the president of the students' union at the Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar. During his graduation at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh, he was elected general secretary of the students’ union.
Known for his love for academics, Channi is a trained lawyer with two postgraduate degrees, one in business administration and another in political science. In fact, he graduated in law from Panjab University during his stint as a councillor. When he was first elected as an MLA from Chamkaur Sahib, he took up MBA from Punjab Technical University as he thought "it was a good subject”.
While serving as the leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in 2016, he completed his post-graduation in political science from Panjab University. According to media reports, Channi has been pursuing his Ph.D on the Indian National Congress in the political science department of Panjab University.
Also read:Sonia, Rahul back Charanjit's candidature as new CM, play Dalit card
Channi forayed into mainstream politics as a municipal councillor and served in this capacity for three terms. He later went on to become the president of the Khrar municipal council for two terms. In 2007, he was elected to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha from Chamkaur Sahib Consistency for the first time. He was re-elected in 2012 and in 2017.
Captain's help
In 2007, Channi had fought against the Congress candidate from Chamkaur Sahib and contested as an independent candidate. Three years later, it was Capt Amarinder who brought him back into the party fold. However, when resentment against Capt Amarinder brew in the recent past, Channi vocally rallied against the now outgoing chief minister and sided with Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's camp.