Filing his nomination papers from his home turf — Chamkaur Sahib constituency, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday appealed to the people of the constituency to help him win by a margin of at least 50,000 votes in the February 20 polls.
Channi’s vote appeal came amidst the claims by his rivals, including AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, that Channi would lose his home turf of Chamkaur Sahib and also second seat he was contesting, Bhadaur.
Chief Minister Channi is the only leader fielded by the prominent political parties contesting the elections from two seats. Congress, it seems, is eyeing to consolidate the Dalit votes in the Malwa region, especially the Sangrur and Barnala districts. The move is considered to be a game-changer considering the push the Aam Aadmi Party’s campaign received after the declaration of Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann’s name as its chief ministerial candidate.
Striking an emotional cord, Channi asked the people to secure his success as he detailed many development initiatives carried out in his home area.
“You have to make (me) victorious by a margin of 50,000 votes,” said Channi, who was accompanied by his family. In urging people to vote for him in the approaching elections, he said: “If we win (from Chamkaur Sahib) by fewer than 50,000 votes, it will not be a success.”
He targeted his political opponents, accusing them of banding together to silence the voice of Chamkaur Sahib's people. “They may conduct as many raids as they want and file as many fake FIRs as they want, but the people of Chamkaur Sahib will always be with me,” said the 58-year-old leader.
“I am your son as well as your sibling. I've been with you for 15 years and have never left you for a single day,” he said. In his emotional remarks, the three-term MLA stated, “I am nothing without you.”
He advised the people to vote for him in this election from this seat since he will be campaigning in many districts of Punjab.
A day before, Channi had filed his nomination papers from Bhadaur (reserve) constituency in Barnala district. He had said that he was sent to Malwa by the Congress party on a mission, and he “has come like Sudama and I hope that the people would take care of me like Lord Krishna”.