Ending weeks of suspense, the Congress on Sunday announced Charanjit Singh Channi as its chief ministerial face for the Punjab elections. Rahul Gandhi made the announcement at a rally, dubbed the 'Aawaz Punjab Di' rally, in Ludhiana.
Rahul had announced on a visit to the state on January 27 that the Congress would declare a chief ministerial face. He added both Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state party unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu had agreed to respect the party's decision.
Earlier on Sunday, after his arrival in Punjab, Rahul travelled in a vehicle driven by former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, with Sidhu and Channi seated in the back. The visuals of Rahul's vehicle were considered symbolic given the rivalry between Channi and Sidhu and also claims that Jakhar was unhappy. Jakhar had denied reports that he was quitting active politics.
Speaking at the rally at Ludhiana before Rahul, Sidhu said, “I never went for Rajya Sabha, I have never fought for the post, I have always fought for the people of Punjab.” Sidhu said his desire was the progress and well-being of Punjab and he had accepted Rahul’s decision, even before it was announced.
Jakhar had highlighted the importance of Punjab and impact of Central policies on foreign relations and defence on the state. He said “Punjab suffers the irreparable loss of weak border policy of the Central government, every soldier and every farmer suffers with the weakened policies of the Central government.”
Both Jakhar and Sidhu praised Rahul for having chosen Channi, a dalit, for the post of CM after Amarinder Singh resigned in September last year. Jakhar said Rahul's decision to select Channi last year would be remembered by generations to come. At one point in Sidhu’s speech, Channi got up and hugged him in public.
Channi declared he and his kin had not engaged in illegal activities.
On Sunday morning, Sidhu had tweeted “All will abide by his decision”, referring to Rahul’s impending announcement.
