Charanjit Channi takes oath as Punjab chief minister

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20

Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi was on Monday sworn in as chief minister of Punjab, making him the first Dalit to hold the top post in the state.

Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and OP Soni were also sworn in. They will be designated as deputy chief ministers.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath to the 58-year-old Channi at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan here.

Channi took oath in Punjabi.

Prominent among those who were present at the oath-taking ceremony were Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. 

Amarinder Singh, who resigned as chief minister two days back, was conspicuous by his absence.

Edit: Congress Fiasco

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Earlier, announcing Channi’s appointment, AICC general secretary and Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Rawat had said: “Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab.”

Also read: From being Kharar councillor to first Dalit CM, Charanjit Singh Channi has come a long way

Neighbours in Kharar elated at Charanjit Singh Channi’s elevation

Flanked by Rawat, PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and AICC-appointed observers Harish Chaudhary and Ajay Maken, Channi met Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit in the evening to stake claim to form a government. With PTI

Will continue to work with Punjab govt: Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Charanjit Singh Channi on being sworn in as Punjab chief minister, and said the Centre would continue to work with his government for the betterment of the people of the state.

Modi tweeted, "Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi Ji on being sworn-in as Punjab's Chief Minister. Will continue to work with the Punjab government for the betterment of the people of Punjab." PTI