People at top want a weak CM: Sidhu

In an apparent dig at the Congress top leadership, Punjab unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday said that the “people at the top” want a weak Chief Minister who can dance to their tunes.

This came as the Congress is set to announce its chief ministerial face in Punjab on 6 February. Sidhu further said that electing a good Chief Minister is in the hands of the voters of Punjab.

“If a New Punjab has to be made, it is in the hands of the CM. You have to choose the CM this time. People at the top want a weak CM who can dance to their tunes. Do you want such a CM?” asked Sidhu.

Amid speculation over the chief ministerial face of Congress for the upcoming Punjab polls, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of Navjot Singh Sidhu, said that her husband was “a hero” and it did not matter who the party would choose as its face in the state for the polls.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday urged the people to vote for him in the

upcoming Assembly elections and said that he has come as a “hope” after years of rule by Captain Amarinder Singh and Parkash Singh Badal leaving the villages in the state in a “bad condition”.

Addressing a public meeting in his new constituency Bhadaur (SC), Channi said: “People’s enthusiasm tells me that a new revolution is coming in Punjab. Now the rule of farmers, small traders and the poor is coming. I have come as a hope. Captain ruled for 10 years, Badal was CM for 5 times but today villages are in a bad condition, there is no development. The farmers are in a bad condition. There is no drinking water in the village.”

Lauding his short term as Chief Minister after the Captain stepped down last year ahead of the polls, Channi said that he had come with a mission and would not leave the people of Punjab.

“Today university colleges are being built in Chamkaur Sahib. Science and English teachers have come in schools. Strong leadership is needed in this area. Adopt me, I will remain here as yours, I will not go. Make me win, give me a chance and form the government. I have come with a mission. It is my duty to work. I assure you there would be no dearth in the development. You have seen for 70 years, see me for once,” he said.

The party has fielded Channi from two constituencies in the polls that include Bhadaur (SC) and Chamkaur Sahib from where he is the sitting MLA.

The Congress has not yet declared their chief ministerial face for the upcoming election. However, Channi might be declared the Congress’ Chief Minister face for the Punjab Assembly polls as sources say that he is leading in the survey the party is conducting to choose its CM candidate.

“Opinions of candidates, workers, and party MPs are being recorded to so that any feud over the CM face between Channi and Navjot Singh Siddhu can be avoided,” said sources.