Former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Charanjit Singh Channi may face an awkward situation when he starts his Lok Sabha Elections 2024 campaign in Jalandhar. Charanjit Singh Channi is fighting Lok Sabha Elections 2024 from the Jalandhar constituency on Congress ticket. However, on Thursday multiple posters were put on the streets of Jalandhar showcasing Charanjit Singh Channi keeping his hand on a woman's back. The controversial posters were installed on Jalandhar roads with the caption written in Punjabi saying 'Bacho Bacho Bacho'. While it is not known who installed such posters, it indeed shows that opposition parties are leaving no stones unturned to take a dig at each other ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
It is pertinent to mention here that Charanjit Singh Channi's poster with a woman is not a new one. During the 2022 Punjab State Elections, the opposition used the same pictures of the former Punjab Chief Minister to caution voters about Channi. Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary reportedly took a dig at Channi saying, "Ghar Ghar De Vich Challi Gal, Channi Karda Gandi Gal". Notably, The Congress on Wednesday suspended Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary from the party for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities till further orders. The Punjab leader has also been removed from all party positions.
It is pertinent to mention here that the opposition parties and rebels have intensified voices against Congress and Channi over his previous controversies. Talking about previous controversies, one of the major rows was when Charanjit Singh Channi was accused of #MeToo case when a woman IAS officer in 2018 accused him of sending inappropriate texts. However, the woman never filed a complaint and (then Punjab CM) Amarinder Singh had then said the issue was "resolved". But the case resurfaced in 2021 with the Punjab Women's Commission sending a notice to the state government asking for its response to the allegation.