Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi announced Charanjit Singh Channi as the CM Face of Congress in Punjab
during his virtual rally in Ludhiana. Respecting the sentiments of the Congress
workers and people of Punjab, the Congress announced its Chief Ministerial face
for Punjab on February 6.
Charanjit Singh Channi was
the first Dalit leader to be appointed as the new Chief Minister of Punjab
after Amarinder Singh resigned from the post. Mr. Channi belongs to the Ramdasia
Sikh community and had voiced Dalit issues in the state. He too had revolted
against Amarinder Singh’s administration taking a part in the anti-Amarinder
campaign.
From flipping coins for
posting to being accused of sending objectionable messages to a woman IAS
officer, Channi has had a good tryst with controversies in his political
career.
Flipping a coin for posting
In February 2021 a video showing Channi flipping a coin to determine the best
candidate for a post was gone viral. Reportedly, when Channi was the Minister
of Technical Education, two lecturer applicants wanted posting at the same
place in a polytechnic college.
After this, Channi came up with a unique way to solve the problem and flipped a
coin to choose the suitable candidate out of two nominees. The ruling Congress
had suffered a major embarrassment after the video went viral.
Made road by breaking the green
belt
Charanjit Singh Channi, apparently on the suggestion of his astrological
adviser, illegally constructed a road outside his official residence barely
days after being sworn into the Punjab cabinet in 2018.
For political rake-off, he needed an east-facing entry to his residence. The
road was removed by Chandigarh authorities in a matter of hours.
Rode elephant on advice of Astrologer
In a similar controversy, Channi reportedly rode an elephant in his lawns at
the suggestion of his Astrologer. Pictures of his elephant ride went viral on
social media, amusing numerous people.
Objectionable message to woman IPS officer
A political storm erupted in Capt Amarinder Singh's government once after a
woman IAS officer accused Channi of sending her "inappropriate" text
messages.
Despite the Punjab Women Commission's notice to the state government, the 2018
case caused quite a stir in state politics however no formal action was taken.