New Delhi: Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, whose appointment to the top post was projected as the Congress’ masterstroke in terms of Dalit outreach, has been living abroad for more than three months, leaving his party behind for his future plans. guessing about.
It is learned that he left India in early May, nearly eight weeks after the Congress’s defeat in the state assembly elections and Channi himself lost the election. both seats He contested the election.
ThePrint has learned that Channi has been living between the US and Canada with his relatives and friends for the past three months.
Congress’ Punjab unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the former CM’s absence at this time was “unfortunate”.
“He did not inform the party unit while leaving India, nor do we know about his return plan. His absence from Punjab and the activities of the party at such a crucial point is unfortunate,” Waring told ThePrint.
Channi does not currently hold any official position in the Punjab unit of the Congress.
Read also: Channi involved in illegal mining, SAD’s Majithia’s claim with ‘proof’ Punjab CM says ‘baseless’
Conspicuously absent after election defeat, amid mining probe
A Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Channi had gone into a kind of “political exile”, citing several reasons – from his defeat in state elections, to being dragged into the investigation of alleged cases. Illegal miningAnd no official post is being offered in the Punjab unit of the party.
Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who was the former Punjab CM’s deputy, also expressed unsure about Channi’s plans.
“In the last few months, he has been out of India and I have spoken to him on the phone only twice. I don’t know anything about why he went abroad, when he plans to return, etc. But as far as being given or not given an official post in the party is concerned, I also do not have one at the moment. But it is all part of a politician’s life,” he told ThePrint.
According to Channi’s younger brother Manohar Singh, the former chief minister was abroad because he had to attend “many important tasks”.
“Since early May, he has been out of India, traveling mostly in the USA and Canada. His wife (Kamaljeet Kaur) is with him. He had to attend many important celebrations in countries where he has friends and relatives,” he told ThePrint.
However, he added that Channi keeps in touch with party workers and is expected to return to India soon. “I cannot tell you the exact date,” said Manohar Singh, who himself unsuccessfully contested the Punjab Assembly elections as a independent candidate Congress ticket cut
But Waring said, “I don’t know who are in the party he (Channi) is in touch with.” I’m not one of those people.”
talking to The Tribune Channi on 5th August dismiss “Rumors” about his “political exile”. He said that he was in the US on a “private visit”, but also mentioned that he was there for “treatment”, and claimed that he would be back soon, without mentioning specific dates.
“There is no FIR or summons against me. I am abroad for my treatment and will be back soon.” The Tribune on the phone.
These developments come in the background of Channi questioned More than six hours on April 14 in connection with a money laundering probe related to alleged sand mining in the state by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). he is also likely to face check In another illegal mining case The investigation is being conducted by the Punjab Police, which comes under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
everywhere from nowhere
Channi, a prominent Dalit leader of Punjab, took charge In September 2021, Captain Amarinder became the Chief Minister in place of Singh.
it was then seen As a political masterstroke by Congress in terms of its message to Dalits not only in Punjab but also in other states.
Channi’s name was chief minister face A few weeks before this year’s assembly elections by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The announcement was made at a time when infighting within the party was no longer a closed-door affair, with Channi facing strong opposition from Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was also in the party. Caste To become the CM candidate of Congress.
Ahead of the assembly elections, Channi tried to project himself as a common man to counter the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He had a meal with the villagers, helped to rescue Cow fell in ditch stopped To congratulate the newlyweds their car and drank tea with autorickshaw drivers.
On 10 March, AAP won the Punjab elections with a majority of 92 seats out of 117. shift (Change) – Leave Congress with 18 seats, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with three and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with two seats.
Channi had contested from two assembly seats Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur. He lost both Defeated AAP candidates – Bhadaur by a margin of 37,558 votes and his home constituency Chamkaur Sahib by 7,942 votes.
Channi attended the first few meetings of the Congress that lasted a month after the party’s defeat in the state elections, senior party leaders told ThePrint.
According to Congress sources, Channi was last seen attending a public function in Punjab on May 3 (Eid). It is said that less than a week after that, he left Punjab.
Since mid-May, the former CM was mostly visible only on Twitter.
he expressed his Mourning on Twitter after the killing of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, which is believed to have shocked many within the Congress; They did not know about Channi leaving India and were waiting for her at the funeral. Channi was the one who Involved Popular artist in the party before the state elections.
He was also missing in action during the Congress campaign before the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-election. tweeted Hearty congratulations to Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) winner Simranjit Singh Mann on 26th June.
Since then he has also been missing from Twitter.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)