Punjab CM Channi leads from front, shows floor management skills

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11

From setting the narrative of being an “aam aadmi” icon to taking Opposition heavyweight politicians “head on” in the Assembly on the concluding day of the two-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi asserted his authority as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party today.

Displaying apt skills in manoeuvring through the Opposition’s onslaught to overshadowing PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, CM Channi adopted an aggressive stance as he tore into the SAD, led by Bikram Majithia. Taking on an already depleted AAP in the House, CM Channi targeted party national convener Arvind Kejriwal for being “an outsider who does not understand the dilemma of the Punjabis”.

Interestingly, CM Channi was seen keeping Sidhu in good humour by repeatedly referring to and defending him during a discussion on the legislation of termination/renegotiation of the power purchase agreements (PPAs) and resolution to reject the three central farm laws, as he displayed his oratory skills to blame the Akalis for various “acts of omission and commission”.

At one point, CM Channi and Sidhu were seen jointly attacking the Akalis, much to the respite of the party high command, which is looking to utilise the combination of Channi’s “aam aadmi” image and Sidhu’s “aggressive” style in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

Punctuating his verbal attack with couplets and quotes from religious scriptures, CM Channi launched a scathing attack on the Akalis, accusing them of pushing Punjab’s youth towards drugs. Barring certain objectionable remarks attributed to Majithia, Channi displayed effective floor management skills as he took on the Opposition benches with support of his MLAs.

Political analysts believe CM Channi’s political journey has come a full circle, from being ridiculed in the previous term for his “patchwork” comment as the Leader of the Opposition in 2016 to now taking on the Opposition.

Jakhar takes a dig at AAP

Congress leader Sunil Jakhar has taken a dig at the AAP for failing to announce its Chief Minister face. “‘A suitable Sikh match required’ (No, this is not for a matrimonial alliance). It’s how AAP was planning to look for a Sikh CM candidate on OLX,” he tweeted.