New Delhi: Congress springs a surprise! Chooses Charanjit Singh Channi as its new Chief Minister of Punjab to replace Captain Amarinder Singh who resigned on Saturday.
Channi was unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party by MLA's on Sunday.
Harish Rawat, the Congress in-Charge of Punjab, took to twitter to announce the selection of Charanjit Singh Channi.
Earlier, reports were making rounds that Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, a cabinet minister in Punjab, was being considered for the top job.
It is learnt the Congress high command wanted a Dalit-Sikh leader to be the CM ahead of the Legislative Assembly election in 2022.
Punjab CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi left from JW Marriott Hotel in Chandigarh for Governor's House, says "I will speak after returning from Governor's house."
As regards to the election of Channi, Randhawa says, "it's high command's decision..., I welcome it. Channi is like my younger brother...I am not at all disappointed."
Channi will be the first Dalit CM of Punjab.
Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh, who stepped down as the chief minister on Saturday, congratulated the new CM designate.
"My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope he’s able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border," Captain's media team quoted him on Twitter.
"Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi Ji for the new responsibility. We must continue to fulfill the promises made to the people of Punjab. Their trust is of paramount importance", tweeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Navjot Singh Sidhu also congratulated the new CM designate. Taking to Twitter, Sidhu wrote, "Historic !! Punjab’s first Dalit CM-Designate … Will be written with Golden letters in History. A tribute to the spirit of the Constitution and the Congress !! Congratulations @CHARANJITCHANNI Bai."
