Rahul announces Channi as CM candidate in Punjab assembly polls

Ludhiana (Punjab): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced incumbent Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as their Chief Ministerial candidate. Rahul made the announcement at a virtual rally in Ludhiana of Punjab. Thereby putting an end to the debate that has been going on for the past few days over the Congress party's CM's face in Punjab assembly polls.

While PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was in the race for the CM candidate, was on Sunday said that he will abided by Rahul Gandhi's decision.

However, it is understood that the incumbent Chief Minister Channi has been declared the CM candidate as the majority of the Punjab Congress leaders and workers were reportedly in his favour. At the same time, Dalit Sikhs have a vote share of 32 per cent in Punjab as Channi hailing from the same community, that is also one of the reasons why he was chosen, says a source.

With the resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh as the Punjab Chief Minister, Congress supremo Charanjit Channi has been made the Chief Minister. The decision indicates that Channi has impressed not only the party but also people during a brief stint as the CM.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's statement, CM Charanjit Singh Channi thanked the Congress High Command and the people of Punjab. "Thank you for putting your trust in me. We have seen how Punjab has been moving forward for the last 111 days and will continue to lead Punjab and the people of Punjab on a more progressive path."