Chandigarh: Going for a Dalit face in Punjab months ahead of polls, Congress on Sunday announced MLA Charanjit Singh Channi as the new Chief Minister of the state, a day after miffed Amarinder Singh resigned.
Channi, 58, is a three-time MLA from Rupnagar's Chamkaur Sahib and will be the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab. His elevation came after marathon meetings in Chandigarh and Delhi, and strong demand by a group of MLAs to pick a Dalit CM.
Dalits are an estimated 31 per cent of Punjab's population. It comes as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab has tied up with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to woo Dalit voters, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has appointed Dalit leader Harpal Singh Cheema as leader of opposition in the state assembly.
The announcement came as a surprise, as the name of party leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was confirmed by party sources. However, differences emerged, and the central leadership was informed that there was a strong demand to make a Dalit leader the chief minister.
The AICC finally decided on elevating Channi, and an announcement was made by Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat.
"It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Sh. Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab," Rawat said.
Channi, along with Rawat, state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, and other leaders met the Governor and submitted the letters of support. He will take oath as the chief minister on Monday morning.
This comes a day after Singh resigned, and said he was feeling humiliated.
Singh congratulated Channi.
"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," Singh said as per a tweet by his media advisor Ravneet Thukral.
Randhawa, who was visibly miffed with the turn of events, also said that he welcomed the decision of the party leadership.
"I Thank MLAs for support... Channi is my younger brother, I welcome the decision of high command," he said.
The leader, who is the son of veteran Congress leader Santokh Singh, added, "I have seen absolute power in my father's time. I am still the most powerful minister, and I will always be".
Punjab goes to polls next year, with AAP emerging strong in the state, and Shiromani Akali Dal focusing on Farmers' Protests as a major issue. The Congress, which had been witnessing a power tussle between Amarinder Singh and Sidhu, was worried about weaning support.
As per party sources, Congress had carried out survey with the MLAs and party workers, who said Singh at the helm in the state may cost them in polls. (UNI)