Three time MLA from Punjab Charanjeet Singh Channi was sworn in as the new chief minister of Punjab in the presence of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leaders n general secretaries Harish Rawat and Ajay Maken n others with Rahul Gandhi congratulating the new CM on his new assignment.
Jubilant Charanjeet Singh Channi pledged to be with the interests and struggles of the farmers saying that he will sever his head but will always be with them to ensure that they get due justice further demanding withdrawal of the three farm laws.
He graciously thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, state party chief Navjyot Singh Sidhu, former CM Captain Amrinder Singh, Harish Rawat and Ajay Maken including party leaders and workers.
Two deputy Chief Ministers viz Dera Baba MLA who was earlier the choice of CM, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and MLA from Amritsar Om Prakash Soni were also sworn in as deputy CM along with Channi.
While prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated Charanjeet Singh Channi on his being sworn in as Punjab CM saying that we will continue to work with the Punjab government, the BSP supremo, a prominent Dalit leader and former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati whose party in in league with Samyukta Akali Dal in Punjab was critical of Congress saying that the latter is badly disturbed by the BSP SAD alliance in Punjab and therefore Dalits should not come under the influence of it.
Speaking to media on the swearing in of a Dalit leader as Congress CM, BSP supremo Mayawati catagorically said that Dalits in Punjab should be very vigilant and alert on the Congress party’s hypocritical attitude towards dalits. She added that she is very much sure that the Dalit community will not fall into Congress party’s trap.
It may be recalled that after the refusal of Congress party’s veteran leader Ambika Soni to become Punjab CM, the party leaders Harish Rawat and Ajay Maken including state chief Navjyot Singh Sidhu were forwarding the name of jat leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhava after the name of non Sikh Punjab leader Sunil Jakhar was not accepted. Till the last minute the name of Randhawa was doing rounds in Congress circles. However, finally the choice zeroed on the name of a Dalit leader Charanjeet Singh Cheena, recommended by state party chief Navjyot Singh Sidhu.
It is believed that Rahul Gandhi finally agreed to his name as Punjab has 34 assembly seats dominated by Dalits with Congress winning 24 seats last time.
As the elections in Punjab are round the corner and opposition SAD has collaborated with Bahujan Samaj party, Congress was in no mood to annoy the Dalit community who have tremendous say in the state of Punjab.
Moreover, to keep the Sikh’s Jat community and Hindus in good humour it included two deputy CMs as well in the new set up under Charanjeet Singh Channi, who is from from Dalit community.
featured pic : News 18
