Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who filed his nomination papers from the Bhadaur (reserve) constituency in Barnala district on Monday, said that he was directed by the Congress party to contest from Bhadaur seat, and he has “come like Sudama and I hope that the people would take care of me like Lord Krishna”.
“Congress party has directed me to contest from Bhadaur also. I have come with a mission in Malwa (region),” he said, adding that this area is backward in terms of development. “Though Capt (Amarinder Singh) and Badal sahib (Parkash Singh Badal) were there, the area lacked development,” he said while promising to uplift the area.
“We will register a big win in Malwa,” said Channi who was flanked by senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Pawan Bansal, whose son Manish Bansal is the party contestant from Barnala.
Asked about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's claim that he would lose from Chamkaur Sahib, Channi dared the AAP leader to contest against him from any constituency in Punjab. “Let Kejriwal come and contest against me from any seat in Punjab,” he said.
Kejriwal on Sunday had taken a jibe at Channi for contesting from two seats, saying he was losing from the Chamkaur Sahib (SC) seat which the Congress leader currently represents.
The Congress on Sunday had fielded Channi from the second assembly seat Bhadaur (SC). Channi is also contesting from his home turf Chamkaur Sahib.