Congress to go with CM face in Punjab polls: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and PPCC President Navjot Singh Sidhu during the 'Navi Soch Nava Punjab' virtual rally. Pic/PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the party will go into the Punjab Assembly polls with a CM face and the decision on it will be taken soon after consulting party workers.

Addressing a virtual rally in Jalandhar, Gandhi said Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state party president Navjot Singh Sidhu have assured him that whoever is chosen as the CM face, the other will support him. Over the past several weeks, both Channi and Sidhu have indicated, directly or indirectly, keenness to be declared as the party's CM face. Differences in the party continued to simmer even after the ouster of Amarinder Singh as the CM and Channi's elevation to the post. Earlier in the day, in a show of unity, Rahul Gandhi led party candidates to the Amritsar's Golden Temple, where they offered prayers and sat for a langar. Rahul at the rally said both Channi and Sidhu told him that the biggest question in Punjab is who will lead the Congress in the state.

"Media people call it the chief ministerial candidate," he said. "Normally, we do not do this, but if the Congress party, our workers and Punjab want this, then we will take a decision on the CM face for you,¿ Gandhi said. The demand for declaring chief ministerial face will be met at the earliest, he said. "We will take this decision after consulting our workers. And the person will take Punjab ahead and others will work as a team," he said. "Both Sidhu and Channi gave me an assurance that two people cannot lead and only one can lead. Both told me whoever leads, the other will put all his energy behind him," said Gandhi.

Earlier in his address, Sidhu said people want clarity who will implement the agenda and roadmap of the party, to which Channi later said he was never after any post and anyone whose name is announced, he will wholeheartedly back him. "I say this with folded hands. We are Punjabis, we want state's welfare. We don't want that (AAP leader) Kejriwal come here and say there is a feud in their house and he will then tell people to give him a chance, which will cause harm to Punjab. We don't want this damage," Channi said. Channi also called Sidhu and state minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu as his elder brothers as he thanked Rahul Gandhi for making him the CM.

"I don't want any post. Make anyone CM, Channi will accept it wholeheartedly and campaign. This is Punjab's requirement," he said. Later addressing the rally, Gandhi said the question is about Punjab's future, not just about the elections. "For us, Punjab is a symbol. For us, it is not a state alone, it is an ideology. Punjab is brotherhood," he continued. "There is a system how to work, which you call Punjabiyat, respect for all religions, respect for women, elders, this is your ideology and ours too," Gandhi said addressing the rally.

"So, you have to make the choice," Gandhi told people. "Ours is not only a political party. There are many political parties in the country. But ours is not only a party but an ideology, one which defeated the British and built the nation. And in this ideology, we are all one," Gandhi said. Rahul said he told Channi and Sidhu that the party should have a dedicated manifesto for women.

"Two-three promises, not 15-20 promises so that lives of our mothers and sisters could change," he said. Gandhi arrived in Jalandhar from Amritsar. His arrival was delayed as he reached Amritsar three hours behind schedule owing to bad weather. After paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, he offered prayers at the Durgiana temple, Ram Tirath Sthal and the historic Jallianwala Bagh.

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