The Congress high command has appointed a Dalit leader, Charanjit Singh Channi, the new chief minister of Punjab in what is being seen as the grand old party’s big move to change the face of the party in the state.
However, it will be known whether the Congress’ move pays off or not only after the Assembly election results early next year. But Punjab is going to be a big challenge for both the Congress and the newly-appointed CM Channi. Channi was one of those leaders who were vocal against former CM Captain Amarinder Singh.
The announcement of Channi as CM was quite dramatic on Sunday. It was against the expectation that someone close to Sidhu will get the top post. A top contender, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s name was doing the rounds earlier. But in what is being seen as a big gamble, Rahul Gandhi gave green signal for Channi who is a Sikh leader from Dalit community. Now, Channi will be faced with all those challenges which his predecessor Amarinder Singh was facing. He will be supposed to fulfil all the promises in the next four months. Moreover, he will have to manage all the factions. What makes it more challenging is Amarinder’s statement that came after his resignation. In fact, what Amarinder has said about Navjot Singh Sidhu may be creating trouble for Congress in days to come. The BJP has also started assailing Congress in the backdrop of all the happenings in the state.
There is no denying that Amarinder would leave the party sooner or later. What is to be seen is whether he forms his own party or strengthens the BJP. It is said that Amarinder does not get along with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He could become CM because of Sonia Gandhi, while Rahul was not in favour of him.
In fact, relations were strained between Amarinder and Rahul since 2017. The change of guard in Punjab did not take place due to the Congress’ massive defeat in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Otherwise, Rahul could have appointed Sidhu the CM. The Congress had performed miserably in all the states except Punjab during the Lok Sabha polls. Amarinder’s position got stronger due to this, but Sidhu got closer to Rahul. Sidhu was the only leader who had attacked the PM. After being close to Rahul and Priyanka, Sidhu started making statements against Amarinder. He was backed by leaders like Randhawa and Channi.
Rahul had decided to give the CM post to Sidhu by the end of 2019. But Amarinder opposed the move, leading to massive tiff. Then there was an outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020. In the meantime, Congress lost its government in Madhya Pradesh. But Punjab remained on the boil. The day Sidhu was given charge of Punjab PCC, it was said that some big change is also in the offing. Amarinder was under the impression that his chair would remain safe. But over 40 MLAs furtively sent letters to high command at the behest of Sidhu. They got the high command’s approval for the CLP meeting. Amarinder came to know about this meeting only at 8 am which was for the change of CM.
Amarinder also acted wisely and left CM post instead of resigning from the party. He then targeted Sidhu in an attempt to block his way to chief ministership. Even Sidhu could not manage to get any of his supporters appointed as CM.
Despite Channi’s appointment, Amarinder will not soften his views on Congress. The former CM will not attack Channi but will continue to target Sidhu. He will continue to target Congress over Sidhu’s alleged links with Pakistan and international security in the bordering state of Punjab. He will have a direct face-off with Rahul apart from Sidhu.
