Watch: Punjab Chief Minister Channi stops vehicle on highway to bless newly-wed couple

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, September 27

In yet another attempt to prove that he is an “aam aadmi”, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Sunday stopped his vehicle on a highway to greet a newly-wed couple when he spotted them at Mandi Kalan village during his visit to Bathinda.

The Chief Minister was seen giving his best wishes in a video tweeted by the Punjab Government. He was also seen taking a bite of sweets offered by the relatives of the couple.

However, the police officers and the relatives of the bride and groom were all without masks.

The new Chief Minister is time and again trying to build an 'aam aadmi' (representative of the common man") image and portraying his humble beginnings.

While taking the oath, the CM had said: I am a representative of the common man, the farmer and anyone who is 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."

A few days back, he performed 'bhangra' with students at a college function, had tea at a roadside eatery while narrating couplets to the masses, besides accepting 'siropas' (religious robes) en route by stopping his security cavalcade.

Political observers say he's trying to build the image of an 'aam aadmi' by taking people along. Punjab is slated to go to the polls in about five months.

Three-time Congress legislator Channi (58) comes from a humble background.

Channi took oath as Chief Minister on September 20, becoming the first Scheduled Caste chief minister of the state. After the resignation of Amarinder Singh, Cabinet minister Channi was elevated to the post.

A video also went viral in which the Chief Minister can be seen accepting 'siropas' on the roadside from a handful of people, who especially came to greet him while he was passing through.

Channi surprised them when he stopped his high-security cavalcade to meet them.