Now, Congress seeks feedback on Punjab CM face

Rajmeet Singh

Chandigarh, January 20

Wary of the BJP using the ED raids on CM Charanjit Channi’s nephew to build a narrative of corruption against the Congress, the party seems to be taking a discreet feedback exercise on the fallout of the agency action on CM’s popularity ahead of the Assembly electionss.

The party is assessing whether its stand against the ED raids has created sympathy for Channi, it is learnt. Party affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary maintains the elections will be fought collectively under PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, Channi and Sunil Jakhar, despite four ministers and other leaders demanding Channi as the CM face. For the past few days, Sidhu has been silent on the issue of declaring the CM face.

Despite the official line, the party circles are abuzz with a Twitter opinion poll on “Who should be the Congress’ CM candidate”, started by Nikhil Alva, an aide of Rahul Gandhi. In the opinion poll, four options — Channi, Sidhu, Jakhar and “no choice should be announced” — have been provided. A senior party leader said it was not on party platform but being done individually by Alva.