A virtual rally in the politically important Malwa region has chosen “a man from a poor family” as Congress’s chief ministerial announcement for the upcoming Punjab elections, with Rahul Gandhi emphasizing on Charanjit Singh Channi’s background indicate that not only was the party ready to risk breaking away from the political tradition of the past, but whether its caste matrix has been worked out.
His announcement put an end to speculations of the party’s CM candidate for ousting Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Navjot Singh Sidhu from the race. The Congress seems to have gone ahead with popular demand from party leaders and workers, and at the same time, cashed in on the Dalit-Sikh vote bank to woo about 32% of Punjab’s scheduled caste population.
After today’s announcement, celebrations were held across the state, especially in Chamkaur Sahib, but the atmosphere outside Sidhu’s residence in Amritsar came to a standstill. Senior leaders say they are hopeful that with the issue of “who is the chief ministerial face” now resolved, the party can focus on the elections ahead. But a section of the party fears that sidelining Sidhu could lead to backlash and opposition from Jat-Sikh voters.
As soon as Rahul Gandhi made the announcement, both Sidhu and Channi went to him and shook hands in what many believe to be good optics. But when Sidhu in his address once again reiterated that he should not be called just “darshani ghoda” (exhibition horse), party leaders were reminded that the road ahead may not be easy.
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During their address, both Channi and Sidhu assured Rahul of working towards bringing the party back to power in the state. “It is a big battle which he cannot fight alone. I will be only a medium and to emerge victorious from this battle will require help and support from the party and the people,” Channi said after Rahul Gandhi’s announcement.
Congress seems to have taken a strategic risk by announcing the CM face. Despite raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in which Channi’s nephew was arrested, Congress polls have indicated that Channi will use the ED’s actions to his advantage by playing the “victim” card. How Channi and the Congress might try to use it to their advantage was evident when the former expressed regret about it at the event.
Channi declared, “The ED’s action was the result of its refusal to use force against the farmers who blocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s path in Punjab on January 5.”
All eyes are now on Sidhu, who may have publicly said that he will abide by the decision of the party high command, but he must have faced a major disappointment today. “He also rejected the post of Deputy CM under Capt (Amarinder Singh) as he was clear about his CM’s ambition. Now, out of the race, he will surely be disappointed,” remarked a leader.
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