Charanjit Singh Channi has been named as the new Chief Minister of Punjab. The outgoing Technical Education Minister is set to take over as next Chief Minister following Captain Amarinder Singh's resignation.
"It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Sh. Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab," tweeted Congress in charge of Punjab Harish Rawat.
Mr Channi will succeed Captain Amarinder Singh, who resigned as the chief minister of Punjab on Saturday following months of infighting between him and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Navjot Singh Sidhu
The Congress is likely to name two deputies in addition to a replacement. Sources, however, said the identities of the deputies will depend on who gets the nod for the top post.
Earlier today, senior Congress leader Ambika Soni was asked to succeed Amarinder Singh as Punjab chief minister during a late-night meeting with Rahul Gandhi, but the Rajya Sabha MP turned down the offer, sources said. Ms Soni made it clear at the meeting that not having a Sikh as the Chief Minister has "ramifications", the sources said, asking not to be named.
Amarinder Singh quit on Saturday following an escalation in the political crisis in the state, which stems from his tussle with Navjot Sidhu. Later, speaking to NDTV, he said he had been "humiliated thrice" and that the Congress is free to "appoint whoever they trust". He also said he would "exercise his options when the time comes".