Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday took oath as the chief minister of Punjab in a ceremony at Chandigarh.
The oath-taking ceremony, which was skipped by former chief minister Amarinder Singh, attended by Congress leader and former party president Rahul Gandhi.
The 58-year-old is the first dalit chief minister of Punjab.
During the ceremony, OP Soni and Sukhjinder Randhawa took oath as deputy chief ministers.
Also read: Charanjit Singh Channi to become new Punjab CM, says Congress
Three-time MLA from Chamkaur Sahib, Channi was chosen for the CM’s post following hectic discussions on Sunday.
Sukhjinder Randhawa was the frontrunner for the post just a few hours before Channi’s appointment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Channi on being sworn-in as the Punjab CM.
“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,” PM 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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2021
Former MP and All India Congress Committee (AICC) Pawan Kumar Bansal has congratulated OP Soni and Sukhjinder Randhawa for taking oath as deputy chief ministers.
Bansal on Monday regretted congratulating Brahm Mohindra as a “deputy chief minister” in a tweet on Sunday.
“My regrets for yesterday’s tweet,based on an incorrect information. And heartiest congratulations to
@Om_Parkash_Soni ji for taking oath as http://Dy.CM today with @CHARANJITCHANNI ji as #PunjabCM &
@Sukhjinder_INCji http://Dy.CM,” Bansal tweeted on Monday.
My regrets for yesterday’s tweet,based on an incorrect information.And heartiest congratulations to @Om_Parkash_Soni ji for taking oath as https://t.co/mGmrmnXXd2 today with @CHARANJITCHANNI ji as #PunjabCM & @Sukhjinder_INC ji https://t.co/mGmrmnXXd2. @INCPunjab emerges stronger
— Pawan Kumar Bansal (@pawanbansal_chd) September 20, 2021
Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat on Sunday said the party would also try to bring Captain Amarinder Singh on board and hoped that the decision to appoint a Dalit Chief Minister – a first in Punjab- would help the grand-old party in other poll-bound states.
“I am proud to be part of the process of making the first Dalit CM for the state. We will try to bring Captain Amarinder Singh on board. There will be two Deputy Chief Ministers. Only the Chief Minister will take oath tomorrow and the cabinet will take it later,” Rawat said.
“The decision on making Dalit a CM should help us in other poll-bound states. The decision for the face for upcoming polls will be taken later,” Rawat added.
While talking to reporters after taking oath as the Punjab CM, Charanjit Singh Channi said, “Captain Amarinder Singh ji did good work for people in Punjab; I will take it forward.”
He also said, “No bill for water motors in villages. No electricity connections of poor households will be disconnected. Their connections will be restored and bills waived off.”