Charanjit Singh Channi appointed as Punjab Congress Legislature Party leader, set to take over as CM

Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously appointed as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab. He 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. Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat will visit Punjab Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh to meet Governor at 6:30 pm, as per the PRO, Punjab Raj Bhawan (Governor's House, Punjab).

Channi will succeed Captain Amarinder Singh who resigned on Saturday after days of upheaval in the party.

"I am happy with high command's decision…. I want to thank all the MLAs who have supported me. Channi is my brother…" Mr. Randhawa said soon after Charanjit Channi was announced as the Chief Minister.

Mr Channi's elevation is significant given elections are due next year and Dalits constitute an estimated 33 per cent of Punjab's overall population.

These development came months before the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.