New Delhi: Veteran Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is the frontrunner in path to be the next Chief Minister of Punja as AICC proposed the name of Sukhjinder Randhawa for the post of CM after a discussion with the Punjab MLAs, a nod from the high command over the same was awaited.
“All MLAs have named Sukhjinder Randhawa for CM before Congress high command, he will become the CM,” Congress MLA Pritam Kotbhai said, as quoted by ANI.
Congress party’s Interim president Sonia Gandhi was authorised by the legislative party to take the final call on the choice of Punjab Chief Minister and her decision in this regard was awaited.
Meanwhile, it is important to know who is Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and what has been his role amid the Congress Punjab crisis.
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Who is Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa?
Born at Dharowali village, Tehsil Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has a long association with the Congress party.
His father Santokh Singh served as Punjab Congress chief twice and was one of the most senior congressmen in his time.
Sukhjinder Randhawa first contested for Punjab Legislative Assembly from Fatehgarh Churian in 2002 where he defeating Akali dal's Nirmal Singh Kahlon.
A resident of Majha’s Gurdaspur district, he is a three-time MLA - having won the assembly election in 2002, 2007, and 2017.
He is currently a Member of the Legislative Assembly representing the Dera Baba Nanak seat.
He served as the minister of jail and department of cooperation of Punjab in the CM Amarinder Singh-led cabinet. He has earlier served as the Vice President of the state Congress and had also been a general secretary.
A former Amarinder Singh loyalist, Randhawa had earlier this year joined hands with Navjot Singh Sidhu. He targeted his own government over alleged failure to fulfil the promises made in the run-up to the 2017 election including those related to the sacrilege incidents (in 2015).
He became vocal against Amarinder Singh in the recent power tussle between the former Punjab Chief Minister and Punjab Congress chief (PPCC) chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Besides Randhawa, the names of former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, the party's current state unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa have been doing the rounds for leaders being considered to serve as the next Punjab Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, as per ABP News sources, the final decision on Punjab Chief Minister has been taken and the announcement is likely to be done soon.