Channi takes oath as Punjab CM, two deputies sworn in

The Governor of Punjab, Banwarilal Purohit, on Monday administered the oath of office and secrecy to Charanjit Singh Channi as the new Chief Minister of Punjab. On the occasion, Sukhjinder Randhawa and O.P. Soni were sworn in as ministers. However, both of them are Deputy Chief Ministers.

Soon after taking the oath of office, Channi said his government is standing with farmers and will appeal to the Centre to withdraw the three farm laws.

In his first interaction with media after taking the oath, the Chief Minister said that he is representative of poor sections of society including daily wage labourers and farmers. “I am not the representative of rich. I am representative of common man of Punjab,” he said.

Channi also said his government will immediately waive the water and electricity bills of farmers. “Punjab government stands with the farmers. We appeal to the Centre to withdraw the three farm laws…We will waive water and electricity bills of farmers,” said the Chief Minister.

A seemingly emotional Channi said he comes from a poor family, and “Congress has made a common man the chief minister”.

Thanking Congress high command for the decision to name him as the Chief Minister, he said, “Rahul Gandhi is a revolutionary leader. He read the mind of common people.”

The new Chief Minister also praised the predecessor, Captain Amarinder Singh. “Captain did a lot of good work for the people of Punjab. We will take his work forward,” he said. “The new government does not have any vendetta against anyone. We will work on all the agenda’s proposed by the Congress party,” stated Channi.

He added that the party is supreme, not the Chief Minister or the cabinet. “The government will work as per the party’s ideology.”

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Rawat along with Harish Chaudhary, Ajay Maken, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, PPCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu, among others, were present on the occasion.