Ludhiana: Put an end to the speculation on Punjab Chief Ministerial candidate, the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced the incumbent Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as party CM face for  Punjab.

Punjab will go for elections on February 20, Mr. Rahul Gandhi made an announcement here on Sunday.

While announcing a decision Rahul Gandhi said that, "It was not my decision, I asked this to Punjab's people, youth, members of the working committee... though I may have an opinion but your opinion is more important than mine... Punjabis told us that we need a person who can understand the poor".

After conducting a telepoll where people were asked to choose between him and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi,  Rahul announced Channi as CM face for Punjab. This move was similar to Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, which opened the Congress to many jeers.

The telephone survey and the subsequent announcement was the result of a running feud between the Chief Minister and state party chief Navjot Sidhu, who has made his ambitions clear ever since he joined the Congress from the BJP ahead of the state elections in 2017.

Rahul Gandhi had announced at a public meeting on January 27: "Normally, we do not declare a Chief Minister face but if Congress workers want, we will select a face as well. But we will consult Congress workers. They will decide".

Before announcing the name, he has made an effort to project unity in the party by taking former state unit chief Sunil Jakhar, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Punjab Congress President Navajot Singh Sidhu to the party headquarter in a car.

The car was driven by Sunil Jakhar, both Channi and Sidhu sat in the back seat. Efforts have been made by the party to placate Sidhu, who is eying on the CM post.

Two days back, Mr. Sidhu said that top leaders want a weak CM to the state. But he has said that he will abide by any decision taken by the party high command.

The Punjab Congress tweeted the video from its official handle, accompanied by a post that read, "Shri @sunilkjakhar Ji drove the car for Shri @RahulGandhi Ji while  @sherryontopp & CHARANJITCHANNI were seated in the back. This is how the 'United Congress' will drive the Congress to victory in Punjab!"

The tweet of the party, which is seeking a second term in power in the state, was accompanied by the hashtag "#CongressHiAyegi".

Sidhu has tweeted that all will abide by Rahul Gandhi’s decision on the leadership issues. "Nothing great was ever achieved without an act of decision... A warm welcome to our leading light Rahul Ji , who comes to give clarity to Punjab.... All will abide by his decision!!!" his post read.

In 2021, Congress has changed ousted Captain Amarinder Singh from CM post following the pressure from Sidhu. After he was anointed as Punjab Congress chief, Mr. Sidhu prevailed upon party high command to change CM.  Party high command appointed Charanjit Singh Channi as the CM, following advise of Sidhu. In fact Channi was the candidature of Mr. Sidhu. 

But both leaders are locked horns with each other. Mr. Channi has taken unilateral decisions without consulting party, President Sidhu.