Page 6 - The Indian EYE 021822

NATION FEBRUARY 18, 2022 | The Indian Eye 6

With Channi as CM candidate in Punjab,

war of words breaks out between parties

Punjab Chief Minister’s nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey, is arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)

in an alleged illegal sand mining case

OUR BUREAU be some differences in ideologies
with regards to something that is nat-
Chandigarh/New Delhi
ural,” he added.
n a major move, Congress lead- In a shocking development, the
er Rahul Gandhi on Sunday that Punjab Chief Minister’s nephew
Iincumbent Chief Minister Cha- Bhupinder Singh Honey, who was
ranjit Singh Channi will be Congress arrested by the Enforcement Di-
chief ministerial face in the upcoming rectorate (ED) in an alleged illegal
Punjab Assembly elections. Punjab sand mining case, will remain in the
Congress president Navjot Singh Sid- ED custody till February 11, said the
hu who was also present in the rally agency. Earlier on February 4, Honey
at Ludhiana said that “he will accept was remanded to the ED custody till
the decision of Rahul Gandhi.” After February 8 after he was brought to
Captain Amarinder Singh stepped judicial court in Jalandhar. The ED
down from the post following months had arrested him on February 3 from
of feud with Sidhu, Charanjit Singh Jalandhar after day-long questioning,
Channi was named as Punjab’s Chief Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi eats a meal at a Dhaba, in Ludhiana on Monday (ANI) said sources.
Minister in September last year. ED’s action had come around 20
Declaring Channi as the chief days after it seized more than Rs 10
ministerial candidate, Rahul Gand- crore, gold worth above 21 lakh and
hi said that the state needs someone a Rolex watch worth Rs 12 lakh from
who understands poverty and hunger. the residential premises of Honey,
“People of Punjab said that they want and others in connection with an al-
a Chief Minister who comes from leged illegal sand mining case.
a financially poor family. We want The ED had declared the recov-
someone who understands poverty, eries after it concluded its two-day
hunger, and the anxiety the poor face raid conducted at the business and
because Punjab needs that person to residential premises of the accused
lead them. Punjab CM candidate will persons and their associates in over
be Charanjit Singh Channi,” Rahul a dozen places in Mohali, Ludhi-
Gandhi said. ana, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and
After the announcement, Channi Pathankot.
while extending courtesy to everyone Former chief minister and Pun-
involved in the decision of making jab Lok Congress chief Captain
him CM face said, “This is a big battle Amarinder Singh has also attacked
which I can’t fight alone. I don’t have Congress leadership in the state say-
the money, courage to fight it. The ing that Channi is good enough to be-
people of Punjab will fight this battle.” come a state minister but not CM and
“If I am given the decision-mak- party state chief Navjot Singh Sidhu is
ing power, I will finish the mafia, an “irresponsible person.”
improve people’s lives. If not given “Both Sidhu and Channi are not
power, I will walk with a smile with good for Punjab, Channi can become
whomever you make CM, I accept a minister but not CM whereas Sidhu
Rahul Gandhi’s decision,” Sidhu said. is not a responsible person,” said Am-
But soon after the announce- arinder. Slamming Aam Aadmi Party
ment of Channi as the Chief Ministe- Charanjit Singh Channi and Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu raise hands at a virtual chief Arvind Kejriwal over his prom-
rial face of Congress, senior Congress ise to pay Rs 1,000 per month to every
leader Sunil Jakhar announced that rally in Ludhiana on Sunday (ANI) woman in Punjab if chosen to power,
he will not contest elections any- Amarinder charged that Delhi Chief
more, adding that, he will continue ful to me. I will work with Congress, polls, Jakhar said, ‘Giving chance to Minister should make this promise
to be in association with Congress will do whatever duty party assigns to someone coming from a poor family come true for the state he is ruling
and will keep working for the par- me but I am out of electoral politics,” is I believe one of the best decisions and then make promises in Punjab.
ty. “I will not contest election...I am he said. Welcoming Rahul Gandhi’s of Rahul Gandhi’s political career.” Former Congress leader made
out of electoral politics...I have had announcement to nominate Channi “It’s a good decision... Congress the following comments while ad-
a good innings; God has been grate- as the party’s face for the assembly party is united together. There may dressing a rally in Patiala on Tuesday.

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