Charanjit Singh Channi takes oath as Punjab CM; says he is 'Aam Aadmi'

Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday took oath as the chief minister of Punjab and became the first Dalit to occupy the coveted post in the state. He started his innings by projecting himself as a representative of ordinary people, swore to fight mafia and tearfully recollected his family's humble origins while announcing pre-poll promises to the poor, including relief on electricity and water charges. Senior leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and OP Soni (a last-minute replacement for Brahm Mohindra) too were sworn in. They will be designated as deputy chief ministers as part of Congress' attempt at a Jat Sikh-Hindu balancing act.

"I am the aam aadmi sitting here while other parties keep talking about aam aadmi. This is the aam aadmi sarkar. It has to take many decisions for Punjab," he later told a news conference. Besides the political message, the pun was a dig at AAP, the Congress challenger in Punjab polls. "I am a representative of the common man, the farmer and anyone 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," he said. "My father used to hoist tents and I drove a rickshaw," he said.

Crediting the Congress for his elevation, he described Rahul Gandhi as a 'revolutionary leader' for taking such a decision. He also expressed sympathy with agitating farmers and called for withdrawal of central farms laws passed a year ago. While Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in function, Channi's predecessor Amarinder Singh kept off, making it clear he was on the war path, even as AICC efforts were on to get Sonia Gandhi to reach out and placate him. Despite being part of the original rebellion against Singh, the new CM promised to advance his policies and works.