Charanjit Singh Channi - A Dalit Sikh - is the new Punjab CM; Oath taking on Monday 11 am

After a lot of political drama in the poll-bound state of Punjab, Charanjit Singh Channi has been finally appointed as the new Chief Minister of Punjab. 58-year-old Channi, a Dalit Sikh and three-time MLA from Rupnagar's Chamkaur Sahib, will sworn-in as Punjab's first Dalit CM 11 am on Monday.

The decision came after Captain Amrinder Singh resigned as the Chief Minister of Punjab. Channi's elevation has been considered as the revival of Congress in the state where 31 per cent of Punjab's population is Dalit. Channi's selection also has more political meanings because Akali Dal (earlier in power with BJP) has joined hands with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party to Drag Dalit votes.

Before Charanjit Channi's appointment, name of Sukhjinder Randhawa was doing the rounds as top contender for the Chief Minister's post. Randhawa, however, congratulated Channi and called him as his brother. He said, "I am happy with high command's decision. I want to thank all MLAs who supported me. Channi is my brother."

Former Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh sent his best wishes to Channi. He said, "My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope he's able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border."

A day earlier Amrinder Singh resigned as Punjab CM alleging that he was humiliated in the party. Talking to reporters, he said, "I was humiliated three times by Congress leadership..." Mr Singh was continuously facing ire of Navjot Singh Sidhu, a rivalry that started in 2017 when Singh reportedly denied the latter's name for the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab. It is to be mentioned here that Channi is said to share a close bond with Sidhu.