'Akali Dal Is Good For Punjab': Why Has Charanjit Singh Channi Started Praising SAD Ahead Of Elections?

Chandigarh: Before the Punjab Assembly elections, equations between political parties have started changing. Amid talks of BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal coming together again, Congress MP and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has praised Akali Dal. In an interview given to a news channel, Channi said that Akali Dal is a good party and it is necessary for its survival in the politics of Punjab. His statement is also considered important because Congress and Akali Dal have been political opponents of each other for a long time. However, Channi questioned the party as well as its current leadership. He said that it has to be seen who is the leader of Akali Dal today.

What does Channi have to say about Akali Dal?

During the interview, when Channi was asked about the current situation of Akali Dal and its political role, he said that the existence of the party is in the interest of Punjab. Channi said that Akali Dal is a good party and it is necessary for it to remain in the politics of the state. However, he also added that the direction of a party largely depends on its leadership. In such a situation, who is leading the Akali Dal today is also important. After this statement of Channi, new political speculations have started amid the ongoing discussions regarding a possible alliance between BJP and Akali Dal.

Why did Channi lash out at Bhagwant Mann's government?

Along with praising Akali Dal, Channi made a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government. He alleged that the mafia is running the government in Punjab, not Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Channi said that Aam Aadmi Party has no sympathy for the problems of the people of Punjab. He also targeted Arvind Kejriwal and said that after the next assembly elections, he will not be worth showing his face in Punjab. It is clear from Channi's statement that Congress is preparing to make law and order and functioning of the government a big issue in the coming elections.

Who will decide the face of the chief minister in Congress?

Claiming the formation of Congress government in Punjab, Channi said that the party will achieve absolute majority. He cornered BJP on the prospects of hung assembly. He said that BJP is trying to mislead people by saying such things. At the same time, on the question of who will become the Chief Minister in case of Congress's victory, Channi left the decision to the party high command. He said that only the Congress high command will decide the name of the Chief Minister. With this answer, he refrained from giving any direct statement regarding his claim for the post of Chief Minister.

Which campaign did Congress start before the elections?

On the other hand, Congress has also intensified its activities before the elections. On Wednesday, the party launched the 'Punjab Mangada Insaaf' campaign. State Congress President Pargat Singh and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Pratap Singh Bajwa inaugurated it at the party headquarters. Through this campaign, Congress is preparing to reach out to farmers, youth and other sections of the society. Issues related to drug problem, unemployment, law and order and common people will be raised in the campaign. The party says that after listening to the problems of the people, they will be placed before the government.

Why would Channi travel to Punjab on a bicycle?

Channi is going to start the cycle tour in the state from November 12. Pratap Singh Bajwa described this programme as part of the Congress campaign. He said that Channi is his brother and through his visit the message of the party will reach different areas of Punjab. Bajwa also said that Congress leaders would join him in the visit. This activism of Congress leaders before the elections is an attempt for the party to strengthen its hold among the people. Now it remains to be seen in which direction Channi's positive statement towards Akali Dal and the new campaign of Congress take the electoral environment of Punjab.