Punjab Election: 'Never Lived For Any Posts,' Says Sidhu As Congress Chooses Channi For CM Face

For the past several weeks, both Channi and Sidhu have made a case for being named the party's nominee for the top job, either directly or indirectly.

Punjab Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi and Navjot Singh Sidhu at an election rally, in Ludhiana, Sunday, Feb. 06, 2022. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu stated on Sunday that he has never lived for a position as he praised the party high command's decision of choosing Charanjit Singh Channi as the state's Chief Minister last year.

Sidhu made the remarks while speaking at a virtual rally in Ludhiana, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would announce the party's CM candidate for the February 20 Assembly elections, PTI reported.

For the past several weeks, both Channi and Sidhu have made a case for being named the party's nominee for the top job, either directly or indirectly.

"During 17 years of a political career, Sidhu never lived for any post, but always wanted Punjab's betterment and improvement in lives of its people," Sidhu was quoted by PTI in its report.

He praised Rahul Gandhi's leadership, claiming that it was he who appointed a Dalit as the state's Chief Minister last year.

"It is a moment of change, Inqilab, one which can better lives of people," he said.

"We don't need anything, we only need Punjab's welfare. My love for Punjab always wanted its betterment," he further said.

Sidhu had already stated that he will respect the party's choice on the CM face, which he underlined during the virtual gathering.

Sidhu slammed former CM Amarinder Singh, saying he used to dance to the rhythm of the BJP.

"Now, Amarinder Singh talks of the double engine. They are the ones who looted Punjab," he alleged.

Following his anticlimactic retirement as state chief minister last year, Amarinder Singh left the Congress and founded a new party, the Punjab Lok Congress, which is running in the state in coalition with the BJP.

Punjab CM Channi Hits Out At Opposition Parties

In his speech, CM Channi stated that 700 farmers died during the agitation against the Centre's agricultural regulations.

"Who is responsible for this? It is the BJP government and the SAD, which was the one who cleared farm ordinances, as well as the AAP government (in Delhi) which notified farm law. Now, they seek votes here," Channi said.

Channi then focused most of his criticism on the Aam Aadmi Party, claiming that they are incapable of bringing about change in Punjab.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Ludhiana on Sunday to address a virtual rally and introduce the party's Chief Ministerial candidate.

Chief Minister Channi was joined at the rally by senior party leaders KC Venugopal, Harish Chaudhary, and Sunil Jakhar.

During his previous visit to Punjab, Rahul Gandhi had declared at a virtual rally on January 27 that the Congress will unveil its chief ministerial nominee, and a choice will be made after consulting party members.

Punjab Legislative Assembly 2022 Updated Schedule

Multiple political parties from Punjab had urged the Election Commission of India Punjab (ECI) to reschedule the single-phase state assembly election poll date in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti. After a meeting, ECI had announced that the votes in Punjab will be cast on February 20 instead of the earlier schedule of February 14.

• Date of Notification: January 25, 2022 (Tuesday)
• Last date of Nomination: February 1, 2022 (Tuesday)
• Date of Scrutiny: February 2, 2022 (Wednesday)
• Date of Withdrawal: February 4, 2022 (Friday)
• Date of Poll: February 20, 2022 (Sunday).
• Counting of Votes: March 10, 2022 (Thursday).

(With PTI Inputs)