How did Punjab get its first Dalit CM in 74 years of independence?
Amarinder Singh on Saturday resigned from the post of Punjab Chief Minister after a long political tussle and said that he felt humiliated by repeatedly calling the MLAs’ meeting, following which he took the step.
Congress had announced officially that Charanjit Singh Channi has been elected as the next Chief Minister of Punjab. After two days of brainstorming and meetings, the name of Charanjit Singh Channi was finalized for the post of Chief Minister.
Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat informed about this by tweeting and made an official announcement in a way. He gave information on Twitter and announced that I am happy to inform you that Charanjit Singh Channi has been elected unopposed as the leader of the Punjab Congress Legislature Party. He took an oath as chief minister of Punjab today. Sukhjinder Randhawa and Omprakash Soni will serve as the new Deputy Chief Ministers of Punjab. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Channi by tweeting. Modi said that he will continue to work closely with the Punjab government for the betterment of the people of Punjab. Let us know who is Charanjit Singh Channi?
It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Sh. #CharanjitSinghChanni has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab.@INCIndia @RahulGandhi @INCPunjab pic.twitter.com/iboTOvavPd
— Harish Rawat (@harishrawatcmuk) September 19, 2021
Charanjit Singh Channi’s Childhood was full of ups and downs
He was born on 2 April 1972 in Makrona Kalan village near Chamkaur Sahib, Charanjit received his primary education from Government Primary School. His father’s name is S. Harsa Singh and his mother is Ajmer Kaur. His father struggled a lot to get financial security for his family, for which he also went to Malaysia. He worked hard and eventually succeeded in his ventures. After returning from Malaysia, Channi’s father started a tent house business in Kharar city and settled there. During college time, Channi used to help him in his father’s tent house. After this, when he graduated, he opened a petrol pump in Ghanauli.
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How was his political journey?
Channi had started his political career by contesting the election of councilor in Kharar Municipal Council and won with a big margin. The then minister Harnek Singh Ghandua made someone else the head of the city council, but after five years Channi became the head. He became chairman of the city council twice. After this Channi made up his mind to contest from Chamkaur Sahib assembly seat and claimed a ticket from Congress but then he did not get the ticket. Independent Charanjit Singh Channi proved himself by winning the assembly elections from the Chamkaur Sahib’s seat. After this, he joined the Akali Dal, then after saying goodbye to the party, he became a Congressman. He has won the assembly elections thrice from this seat.
Congress gave Punjab a Dalit Sikh Chief Minister
Charanjit Singh Channi is one of the Dalit leaders in the Punjab Congress. He is considered very close to the Gandhi family. Let us tell you that Punjab has the highest number of Dalit Sikhs in India. Their number is about 32%. Also, it is important to note that being a Dalit Sikh face has been in favor of making him the chief minister. Rahul Gandhi congratulated Punjab CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi for the new responsibility.
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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 19, 2021
He tweeted “Congratulations 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”. Charanjit Singh has also been the Minister of Technical Education and Industrial Training of Punjab before the post of Chief Minister.
Opposition parties have targeted Congress
Punjab BJP in-charge Dushyant Gautam said that a conspiracy is being hatched to loot Dalit votes by making Dalit CM in Punjab. It seems to be an old habit of Congress. They feel that by appointing CM for 3-4 months, they will get the complete vote bank of Dalits. It’s all a show. On the other hand, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, while congratulating Channi, has asked the depressed classes to beware of the Congress. Mayawati said that making Dalit CM is an election tactic of Congress.
