Charanjit Singh Channi takes oath as Punjab CM; says he’s ‘Aam Aadmi’

Congress chief Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday took oath because the chief minister of Punjab and have become the primary Dalit to occupy the coveted publish within the state. He began his innings by projecting himself as a consultant of peculiar folks, swore to combat mafia and tearfully recollected his household’s humble origins whereas asserting pre-poll guarantees to the poor, together with aid on electrical energy and water fees. Senior leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and OP Soni (a last-minute alternative for Brahm Mohindra) too had been sworn in. They will probably be designated as deputy chief ministers as a part of Congress’ try at a Jat Sikh-Hindu balancing act.

“I am the aam aadmi sitting here while other parties keep talking about aam aadmi. This is the aam aadmi sarkar. It has to take many decisions for Punjab,” he later informed a information convention. Besides the political message, the pun was a dig at AAP, the Congress challenger in Punjab polls. “I am a representative of the common man, the farmer and anyone oppressed. I am not a representative of the rich. Those who are into sand mining and other illegal activities, don’t come to me. I am not your representative,” he mentioned. “My father used to hoist tents and I drove a rickshaw,” he mentioned.

Crediting the Congress for his elevation, he described Rahul Gandhi as a ‘revolutionary chief’ for taking such a call. He additionally expressed sympathy with agitating farmers and known as for withdrawal of central farms legal guidelines handed a yr in the past. While Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in perform, Channi’s predecessor Amarinder Singh stored off, making it clear he was on the conflict path, whilst AICC efforts had been on to get Sonia Gandhi to achieve out and placate him. Despite being a part of the unique insurrection in opposition to Singh, the brand new CM promised to advance his insurance policies and works.