New Delhi: In a bid to do damage control in Punjab, the Congress party announced that the next year's Assembly polls will be contested under the leadership of both newly-appointed Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the party's state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
This comes a day after Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat said in a statement that under the given circumstances, elections will be fought under the leadership of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
While addressing a press conference on Monday, Congress' chief spokesperson and general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "Media please do not spread confusion and stop attacking a Dalit Chief Minister. Charanjit Singh Channi will be our face as Chief Minister and Sidhu as state president."
In fact, the statement by Harish Rawat also faced criticism by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati by saying that Congress' move to appoint Channi as Punjab CM is nothing but a poll gimmick and the party does not fully trust the Dalits. She also alleged that Congress is scared of the SAD-BSP alliance in Punjab.
When asked about the comment, Surjewala replied, "Mayawati ji is a respected senior leader. I would humbly request her to announce that the CM candidate for the Akali-BSP alliance would be a Dalit. I throw a challenge at her."
He further asserted that Congress has three Chief Ministers- two from the OBC community and one from the Dalit community.
Also read: Sunil Jakhar hits at Rawat over 'Congress to fight 2022 Punjab polls under Navjot Sidhu' statement
Surjewala also praised the work done by former Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh and also asked him to continue his support to the state government.
"Capt Amarinder Singh is our senior leader. Under his leadership, our party has done amazing work. It is also true that sometimes differences crop up between family members but I believe that he will continue to give his support and guidance to the state government," he said.
After resigning from the post, Captain had launched a scathing attack on Sidhu, accusing him of having relations with Pakistan. To this, Surjewala replied, "Some things have been said due anguish and temper. Such things can be avoided. We have already moved on."
