Punjab Congress dalit-sikh leader Charanjit Singh Channi has been named as the mext Chief Minister by the Congress party on Sunday. Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat also mentioned of appointing two deputy chief minister's. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who was earlier said to be the frontrunner for the top post, may become one of the two deputies. Congress state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu termed the decision to appoint Charanjit Singh Channi as new CM 'historic'. Political developments in took place at a turbulance pace when Captain Amarinder Singh resigned from the top post saying he felt 'humiliated' at the way the party handled the infighting in the state unit.
Punjab Congress CM Race | Highlights
10:15 pm: After a dramatic turn of events post Captain's resignation, Harish Rawat speaking to ANI said that the Congress will fight the upcoming Assembly Elections 2022 under the leadership of PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. | READ MORE
"It (party face for upcoming State polls) will be decided by Congress president, but given the circumstances, elections will be fought with CM's cabinet under Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, whose chief is Navjot Singh Sidhu. He is very popular," he said.
Rawat also said that they mutual feeling is that there should be two deputy CMs. Soon they will take on it.
09:43 pm: "It (party face for upcoming State polls) will be decided by Congress president, but given the circumstances, elections will be fought with CM's cabinet under Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, whose chief is Navjot Singh Sidhu. He is very popular...," Rawat added.
09:41 pm: "Decision (to choose new Punjab CM) was taken yesterday only, we were only waiting to meet the Governor...The party was unanimous on Charanjit Singh Channi's name... We will try to ensure that he (Amarinder Singh) is there at oath-taking, but it's up to him," said Harish Rawat.
09:22 pm: "We are very happy and grateful to everyone for giving him this opportunity. Our brother is very hardworking, he will do well...," says Surinder Kaur, sister of newly appointed Punjab CM designate Charanjit Singh Channi.
ALSO READ | Who is Charanjit Singh Channi
08:50 pm: Historic !! Punjab’s first Dalit CM-Designate… Will be written with Golden letters in History. A tribute to the spirit of the Constitution and the Congress !! Congratulations @CHARANJITCHANNI," said Navjot Singh Sidhu.
08:10 pm: Soon after Congress named Charanjit Singh Channi as new CM, former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said, "Sad at not being able to personally hand over job letters to kin of 150 farmers who had lost their lives in stir against farm laws. Hope CM-designate Charanjit S Channi will do needful at earliest."
ALSO READ | As Congress picks Charanjit Channi as next Punjab CM, BJP reminds of old MeToo complaint against him
07:30 pm: Supporters of Charanjit Singh Channi celebrate outside his residence at Kharar, SAS Nagar after he became the Punjab CM-designate.
07:22 pm: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulates Punjab Chief Minister-designate Charanjit Singh Channi.
07:17 pm: "We have presented our stance, unanimously supported by party MLAs, before the Governor. Oath taking ceremony to take place at 11 am tomorrow," says Punjab CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi.
07:11 pm: Charanjit Singh Channi to take oath as next Punjab Chief Minister at 11 am on Monday.
06:37 pm: Supporters of new Punjab CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi celebrate outside Governor's house in Chandigarh.
06:35 pm: Captain Amarinder Singh extends his wishes to new CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi, tweets "I hope he’s able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border."
06:22 pm: Punjab CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi leaves from JW Marriott Hotel in Chandigarh for Governor's House, says "I will speak after leaving from Governor's house."
05:45 pm: Charanjit Singh Channi to be new Punjab Chief Minister, tweets Harish Rawat.
05:43 pm: Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu reaches JW Marriott Hotel in Chandigarh, amid political developments over new CM in the state.
05:02 pm: No decision yet (on new Punjab CM), you will have to wait for 2-3 hours... announcement will be made today, says Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is also said to be frontrunner for the top post.
04:46 pm: Many names doing rounds for it (Deputy CM post)... no comments..., said Congress leader Aruna Chaudhary on her name being proposed for Deputy CM post in Punjab.
04:44 pm: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi returns to his residence after meeting party president Sonia Gandhi Punjab
04:38 pm: Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has sought time for a meeting with Governor Banwarilal Purohit amid political developments in Punjab: Sources
04:29 pm: Punjab Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa leaves from his residence, in Chandigarh. He has been reportedly named as CM face for the state of Punjab after Captain Amarinder Singh resigned, yesterday.
04:09 pm: For two deputy chief ministers posts, Aruna Chaudhary and Bharat Bhushan Ashu are being considered as frontrunners.
04:07 pm: Will always respect Captain Amarinder Singh, said Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa as he was speaking on his name being considered for the top post and resignation of former CM.
04:00 pm: Speaking on who will be new Punjab CM, Congress leader Kaka Randeep Singh said, "I have come to meet him (Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa), official information (on CM's name) will be announced by people who have come from Delhi through a presser.
03:05 pm: Punjab Congress finalises Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa as CM; high command to take final call
03:02 pm: "Not mine, don't know who's but it will be done for sure" - Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhwa on whether he will be taking oath as Punjab CM today
02:34 pm: "Navjot Sidhu is not a traitor. If after now Amarinder Singh calls Sidhu a traitor, then I will open the whole book. Capt's target is not Sidhu but the Gandhi family. I'll not allow Capt to target Gandhi family. Amarinder Singh has been humiliating Punjab for the last 5 yrs. The people in this party have been tolerating him for the last 4.5 years. If I was the leader of the party, then I would have removed Captain from the party in 30 days" - Md Mustafa, advisor Sidhu
01:54 pm: "Amarinder Singh has called Navjot Singh Sidhu anti-national. This is a very serious allegation. BJP is asking only one question to Congress that why Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka are silent on this? We demand Congress to speak on this issue and put their version. Will Congress take cognizance of these allegations and take action on it" - Prakash Javadekar
01:13 pm: Amarinder Singh on Saturday wrote to Sonia Gandhi expressing anguish at political events of the last about 5 months, which he said were clearly “not based on the full understanding of the national imperatives of Punjab and its key concerns," says his office
12:48 pm: Ambika Soni reaches Rahul Gandhi's residence
Ambika Soni arrives at Rahul Gandhi's residence
12:39 pm: Ambika Soni confirms declining the offer for Punjab CM post; she says a Sikh leader should be appointed
12:31 pm: "Capt Amarinder Singh is a popular leader. They've removed him because they were apprehensive that he was growing more popular than Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. People who're stuck in such deep mess are questioning us. It's not worth reacting to them" - Pralhad Joshi
11:53 am: "Decision in next 2-3 hours" - Congress MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa
11:48 am: Sources close to Sidhu have said there is a possibility of appointing two deputy chief ministers along with the chief minister
11:36 am: Decision over the prospective candidate for the post of Punjab CM lies in the hands of the party's high command, say Congress MLAs
11:20 am: "I hope Amarinder Singh will not take any step that would not go in favour of Congress party," says Ashok Gehlot
Ashok Gehlot's tweet on Punjab political crisis
11:17 am: Here's what Kapil Sibal tweeted in reference to the ongoing crisis in the Punjab Congress
10:56 am: CLP meeting, which was slated for 11 am, has been deferred
10:49 am: Amarinder Singh says 'be ready for floor test if new CM is not chosen from among his group', sources have revealed
10:44 am: All MLAs have been asked to remain in Chandigarh
10:41 am: Ambika Soni has declined the offer for Punjab CM, citing health reasons
10:36 am: "It all depends on the Congress high command. This is the prerogative of the high command. CLP meeting was held yesterday and a mandate has been given. There is no need for another meeting of the CLP" - Congress MLA Pargat Singh
10:29 am: "We are awaiting Sonia Gandhi's orders. Immediately after, a decision will be taken in the CLP meeting. There is a background and issues behind the resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh" - Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid
10:03 am: "A meeting of MLAs was held with Harish Rawat ji and Ajay Maken ji yesterday. A resolution was passed that Sonia Gandhi ji's decision will be final on this matter. Today you will get to know her decision" - Pawan Goel
09:01 am: Sikh leaders of Punjab Congress have demanded to not appoint a Hindu chief minister
08:30 am: Ambika Soni amongst the front runner now for Punjab CM, say sources
06:22 am: Video shows KC Venugopal and Ambika Soni leave from the residence of Rahul Gandhi after the meeting
06:20 am: Congress held a late-night meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence in New Delhi; KC Venugopal Ambika Soni were in attendance
Why is Amarinder Singh upset?
Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday had slammed the Punjab Congress' central leadership stating that he was "humiliated into quitting" and that he had not been even informed about the CLP meeting even though he was the leader. Singh said even after the leadership change in Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, he had not expected to be humiliated in this manner "perhaps because of my association with Sonia Gandhi and her children."
He pointed to sweeping wins by the Congress under his leadership since 2017 and said he failed to understand the decision by the party to replace him.
"The people of Punjab were clearly happy with my government," he said, adding that till three-four months ago, the tide was completely in favour of the Congress in Punjab but "they have cut their nose to spite their face, and ended up from a winning to a losing position."
Amarinder Singh said he definitely felt let down and added that he failed to understand the party's objective in letting him go after his success in governing the state for nine-and-a-half years.
According to an official release, the Chief Minister said he felt sad and humiliated that his contribution to the state was not recognised, and he had been misread despite having done the best for it, including on the sacrilege and drugs issues.
Also Read | What next for Punjab Congress?
