Charanjit Singh Channi was today sworn in as the new chief minister of Punjab along with two deputies, OP Soni and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. He was administered the oath by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit at the Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Mr Channi, who is known to be close to Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, succeeds Amarinder Singh who resigned on Saturday.
Mr Channi was chosen after at least two other candidates opted out of the race. Ambika Soni, who was the party's first pick, reportedly rejected the offer stressing that a Sikh leader should become the chief minister.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Punjab Congress Crisis:
After Charanjit Singh Channi takes charge as Punjab CM, Principal Secy & Spl Principal Secy to ex-CM Capt Amarinder Singh have been replaced by Hussan Lal, Principal Secretary, Investment Promotion & Rahul Tiwari, Secy of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, respectively.
- ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2021
A conspiracy is being hatched to rob Dalit votes by appointing a Dalit Chief Minister (in Punjab), said Punjab BJP in-charge Dushyant Gautam, according to news agency ANI. "It seems that this is Congress' old habit. They think that by appointing a CM for 3-4 months, they'll get entire vote bank of Dalits. This is all for show," he was quoted as saying.
"Congress has done this before as well. They get the votes of Dalits but they place their own leaders for governance. When it comes to respecting Dalits, they're insulted and thrown out of party. This happened in case of Dr BR Ambedkar," he added.
We will waive water and electricity bills of farmers: Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi pic.twitter.com/YVXTMH5MbC
- ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2021
"Rahul Gandhi has given me opportunity to serve people. I am a "aam aadmi". I'm representative of common man, the farmer, and anyone who is oppressed. I am not a representative of the rich. Those who do sand mining and other such activities, don't come and meet me...I am not your representative. Punjab is an farming-dominant state. I am with the farmers," says Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi addresses the media for the first time after his swearing-in ceremony.
I congratulate Charanjit Singh Channi on becoming Punjab CM. It would have been better if he had been appointed as CM earlier. Channi's appointment as CM a few months ahead of Punjab assembly elections appears to be a poll gimmick: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati pic.twitter.com/uqXsIzwiuC
- ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2021
#WATCH Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu congratulate Charanjit Singh Channi on becoming the new Punjab CM#Chandigarh pic.twitter.com/QSl0QY9jI8
- ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2021
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrives at Raj Bhawan to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Charanjit Singh Channi.
Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and OP Soni take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers of Punjab.
Chief Minister-designate Charanjeet Singh Channi has reached Raj Bhawan for his swearing-in ceremony. Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, state in-charge Harish Rawat and senior party leader Sunil Jakhar have also arrived, besides other MLAs of the party.
Chandigarh | Charanjit Channi is going to meet Harish Rawat right now, he will then proceed to Raj Bhawan for the oath-taking ceremony. He will meet Captain Amarinder Singh in the afternoon: Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid pic.twitter.com/ZlWATUzOd2
- ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2021
This is a huge insult to the entire Dalit community if Charanjit Singh Channi has been made the CM, only to hold the seat for Navjot Singh Sidhu, the chosen Gandhi family loyalist.
- Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 20, 2021
This completely undermines the Dalit empowerment narrative being peddled by the Congress. Shame. https://t.co/8zkPmiq9cq
On the swearing-in day of Sh @Charnjit_channi as Chief Minister, Mr Rawats's statement that "elections will be fought under Sidhu", is baffling. It's likely to undermine CM's authority but also negate the very 'raison d'être' of his selection for this position.
- Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) September 20, 2021
Charanjit Singh Channi: Well Done, Rahul: BJP Takes A MeToo Dig Over Punjab ChoiceThe BJP took a swipe at the Congress over its Punjab chief ministerial pick Charanjit Singh Channi, citing reported allegations that he had sent an inappropriate text to an IAS officer in 2018." Read here.
New Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi Visits Gurudwara Ahead of Oath CeremonyPunjab Chief Minister-designate Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday offered prayers at a Gurudwara in Rupnagar before his oath-taking ceremony. Read here.
Congress Will Fight 2022 Punjab Assembly Polls Under Navjot Singh Sidhu: Harish RawatPunjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat on Sunday said that the upcoming state assembly elections will be fought under Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu who is "very popular", given the state's present political circumstances. Read here.
"Keep Punjab Safe": Amarinder Singh Greets Charanjit ChanniAmarinder Singh says, "Best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi." Greeting his successor in the Punjab Chief Minister's chair, the veteran Congress leader cautioned his replacement against the growing risks to the state from "across the border". Read here.
