Punjab Elections 2022: Congress announces Charanjit Singh Channi as CM face

Punjab Congress CM face for Assembly Elections 2022: Putting an end to all speculations, the Congress on Sunday named Charanjit Singh Channi as its CM candidate for the Punjab Assembly elections 2022. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the announcement at a virtual rally in Punjab's Ludhiana on Sunday. AICC sources said the party’s internal surveys had put Charanjit Singh Channi ahead of others “by a huge margin” to be the Congress' CM face for Punjab elections 2022. The Congress had reached out to a cross-section of party workers, leaders, and contestants to get a view on the issue. "I sincerely thank the Congress High Command and people of Punjab for bestowing their trust in me. As you have seen us work so hard in the last 111 days to take Punjab forward, I assure you to take Punjab and Punjabis on the path of progress with new zeal and dedication," said Channi after the announcement. During the event, after sharing anecdotes about Channi, Navjot Singh Sindhu and Sunil Jakhar, Rahul Gandhi remarked, "It was a difficult decision, but the people of Punjab made it easy since they wanted a CM who comes from a poor family." "It is Punjab's decision," said the senior party leader. It is not my decision. I haven't decided. I asked workers, candidates, MLAs, people, the youth of Punjab..what people said has led me to my final decision,” he added. Also Read | Punjab Elections 2022 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi announces Charanjit Channi as CM-face of Punjab Rahul Gandhi went on to say "Congress is a party of diamonds and it is not easy to pick one among them." "It is very easy to give a speech. But I have been observing our leaders deeply, how they react to a situation," the Congress MP continued. Politics is not an event, but rather a difficult journey, remarked Rahul, adding "everyone has their own fight. PM Narendra Modi also has his own fight. Sidhu ji, Channi ji, Jakhar ji all have their different fights." Party leaders put up a great show of unity as former PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar, who began his speech by praising Rahul Gandhi, saying that appointing Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab's chief minister following Amarinder Singh's resignation was the best political decision Rahul Gandhi has ever made. After Jakhar's speech, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Navjot Singh Sidhu ascended the stage and said Rahul Gandhi is the only person who can make Charanjit Singh Channi the chief minister. "Rahul Ji, Sidhu ashiq hai Punjab da," Sidhu remarked, adding that he will always be a party worker and that only a minister can become an ex-minister, but that a worker could never become an "ex." Channi got out of his seat and hugged Sidhu as his speech became more emotional. As Charanjit Singh Channi addressed, he stated that throughout his long career in politics, he has always maintained a clean image and has always been honest. Channi promised full cooperation and stated that whoever wins the CM election will have his support. Following the speeches, the party leader announced Charanjit Channi as its Chief Minister face. Notably, the Punjab Assembly elections 2022 are scheduled to be held on February 20 and the counting will take place on March 10. Also Read | Lata Mangeshkar Death Highlights: Two-day national mourning declared; PM Narendra Modi extends condolences -PTC News