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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Citing ‘disillusionment' among party, AAP councillor switches to Congress
Satnam Singh Sunny Master, a sitting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilor from Ward 58, which falls in Ludhiana West assembly segment joined the Congress on Friday. He was inducted into the party by former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, former cabinet minister Rana Gurjit, party candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu and others. Besides, Karan Warring, a senior BJP leader and Paramvir Singh, nephew of late MLA Gurpreet Gogi also joined the Congress. Earlier, Vikramjit Singh, the social media in-charge of the AAP for Malwa region also joined the Congress in presence of the party's general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, and the state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Speaking on the occasion, Sunny Master said he was completely disillusioned with the AAP after seeing it from inside. He said they were all fake revolutionaries. He said he was deeply disturbed the way the AAP leadership was handing over the posts and positions, which are the right of the Punjabis, to people from Delhi and other places. Karan Warring said it was a homecoming for him as his family has been with Congress for generations. He especially appealed to the BJP and the Akali supporters, not to waste their votes and support Ashu to defeat the outsiders' party, the AAP. Welcoming them into the party fold, Channi and Rana said it was a homecoming for them. Channi said, it was not an ordinary thing that a sitting councillor had left the ruling party and joined the opposition party. He noted this shows how disappointed and disillusioned people are with the AAP. He said, this is just the beginning as more and more people were keen to join Congress after being disillusioned with the AAP. Channi in a special message to the self respecting Punjabis, who believe in Punjabiyat, said that they must come forward and ensure the victory of Congress and defeat the outsiders. He said, no Punjabi would like to vote for a Haryanvi, suggesting that the AAP was fighting this election for sending Kejriwal, who originally hails from Haryana, to Rajya Sabha. 'This is the matter of Punjabi prestige', he remarked.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kejriwal wants to finish Hindu leadership in Punjab, MLA Gogi died because of AAP: former CM Charanjit Singh Channi ahead of Ludhiana West bypoll
Ahead of the bypoll in Ludhiana West, Congress's Jalandhar Lok Sabha MP Charanjit Singh Channi Thursday accused Arvind Kejriwal of trying to 'finish entire Hindu leadership in Punjab', and said the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was also targeting its Hindu leaders. While addressing a rally in Ludhiana, Channi accompanied Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu to file nomination papers for the Ludhiana West bypoll, slated to be held on June 19. The urban constituency of Ludhiana West comprises sizeable Hindu voters, including businessmen and traders. The bypoll in Ludhiana West has been necessitated after the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi, who died due to 'self-inflicted bullet injury in the head, caused by his licensed weapon' in January this year. Channi, the former Punjab chief minister, also said Gurpreet Gogi 'died as he was being harassed by AAP leadership, including Kejriwal.' The MP claimed that nearly a month before his death, Gogi had met him and told him that 'he was fed up with the AAP.' Gogi, also a former Congressman, had shifted to the AAP ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections and defeated Congress's Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Now, Ashu, an ex-minister and two-time Ludhiana West MLA, is pitted against AAP's Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora in the bypoll. 'They (AAP) troubled him (Gogi) a lot. They did not do any work, but just harassed and did an injustice to him. He also said he had even demolished the foundation stone of a project. He was very upset and died due to these tensions. Kejriwal is also responsible for his death,' said Channi. Referring to the corruption cases filed against Congress leaders after AAP came to power in Punjab in 2022, Channi said: 'They (AAP) first got false cases registered against Ashu, tortured him to the hilt, kept him in jail but he came out clean and not a single charge could be proved against him. The High Court declared him clean. Then they got after (Sunder Sham) Arora, (Om Prakash) Soni and booked them.' Channi accused the AAP of not sparing its Hindu leaders, while giving instances of former AAP minister Vijay Singla and Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh. 'They arrested their own minister Singla over corruption, but couldn't produce a single proof against him. They are now also after their Amritsar MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap, who speaks against his own party every day. And the latest is (Jalandhar Central MLA) Raman Arora (arrested recently in an alleged corruption case),' said Channi. The Congress leader also accused Kejriwal of bothering AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora. 'He (Kejriwal) has now fielded Arora in the bypoll to pave his own way into the Rajya Sabha,' said Channi. Appealing to the people of Ludhiana to vote for Ashu, Channi said that 'people should not let Kejriwal's nefarious designs succeed.' 'You can have two benefits if you make Ashu win. Arora will remain your Rajya Sabha MP, and Ashu will become your MLA… He (Kejriwal) only wants to finish the entire Hindu leadership in Punjab. They are kaale angrez who are here to loot Punjab,' said Channi. Speaking to The Indian Express on the sidelines of the rally, Channi said he stands by what he said during his address. Demanding an inquiry into Gogi's death and the role of Kejriwal and others from AAP who were allegedly harassing him, Channi said: 'Gogi had met me at my house in Kharar around a month before he died. He was very upset with the AAP and Kejriwal. He wanted to rejoin Congress, but I told him that he should first fulfil his responsibility towards his people who had elected him as MLA. He was extremely upset with his government.' 'They are now even planning to implicate (AAP state president) Aman Arora, according to my information. Where is Raghav Chadha? He, too, is maintaining a distance from his own party. The fact is, Kejriwal wants to be the only Hindu leader in Punjab. It's a big conspiracy,' said Channi. Ashu was also accompanied by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, AICC in-charge for Punjab Bhupesh Baghel, senior MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh, and Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma as he filed the nomination papers for the bypoll. Divya Goyal is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Punjab. Her interest lies in exploring both news and feature stories, with an effort to reflect human interest at the heart of each piece. She writes on gender issues, education, politics, Sikh diaspora, heritage, the Partition among other subjects. She has also extensively covered issues of minority communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. She also explores the legacy of India's partition and distinct stories from both West and East Punjab. She is a gold medalist from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, the most revered government institute for media studies in India, from where she pursued English Journalism (Print). Her research work on 'Role of micro-blogging platform Twitter in content generation in newspapers' had won accolades at IIMC. She had started her career in print journalism with Hindustan Times before switching to The Indian Express in 2012. Her investigative report in 2019 on gender disparity while treating women drug addicts in Punjab won her the Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity in 2020. She won another Laadli for her ground report on the struggle of two girls who ride a boat to reach their school in the border village of Punjab. ... Read More
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Interview with Charanjit Singh Channi: ‘If I could reform one thing, it would be to ensure Oppn's voice is respected'
For the first time in 16 years, an MP from Punjab has been selected for the Sansad Ratna award for outstanding performance in Parliament. Among the 17 MPs being honoured is former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who won the Jalandhar seat with a resounding majority and heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Channi is one of the only two parliamentary standing committee chairpersons chosen for the award this year. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Channi reflects on what the award means to him, how he views this recognition as a milestone for Punjab, and what his future goals are for the people he represents. Excerpts: Q: How did you feel when you first heard that you've been selected for the Sansad Ratna award? What does this recognition mean to you personally, and how do you see it reflecting on the people of Punjab? Charanjit Singh Channi: It's a great encouragement. Out of nearly 788 parliamentarians—including 543 from the Lok Sabha and 245 from the Rajya Sabha—being among the 17 selected is a matter of pride and responsibility. This award isn't just about me; it's for the people of Punjab who have reposed their faith in me time and again—right from the municipal committee elections, Vidhan Sabha, and now in the Lok Sabha. I also deeply value the love and respect I received as Punjab's first Dalit chief minister. This recognition motivates me to work relentlessly for the people of the state. I believe that this award is for Punjab and Punjabiayt. Q: This is the first time in 16 years a Punjab MP has received this award. Why do you think this gap existed, and how does your win break that pattern? Charanjit Singh Channi: This award is based purely on merit and performance—it's not the fault of the selectors that no one from Punjab was recognised earlier. Whosoever works genuinely for the betterment of their people, their state, and the overall governance of the country will be recognised eventually. My focus has always been to improve governance and uplift Punjab. This award is a validation of that path. People elect us with huge hopes and it's our duty to represent them truly in Parliament. In less than a year, I've raised 68 issues in Parliament. I'll keep raising issues. My key goal is to amplify Punjab's voice and ensure development with equity. Q: If you could reform one thing in Parliament, what would it be? Charanjit Singh Channi: If I could reform one thing, it would be to ensure the Opposition's voice is respected. A government often suppresses dissent, but Parliament must function for the people—not to score political points. Also, every second of Parliament sessions or discussions must be utilised by answering the questions transparently and fixing accountability. Q: You recommended renaming the Ministry of Agriculture as the Farmers and Workers Welfare Ministry. What inspired this proposal, and how would it change the ministry's role? What is your broader vision for transforming Punjab's rural economy and improving the lives of farm workers? Charanjit Singh Channi: I recommended that this ministry must include farm labourers along with farmer welfare in both its name and policy. Farming isn't complete without farm workers, yet their welfare is often overlooked. By renaming the ministry, any welfare policy meant for farmers would also extend to labourers. I also suggested a fixed basic salary for them—how can one justify a whole day's work of a farm labourer with just a fodder bale? As chairperson of the standing committee, my recommendations are officially recorded. Even if the current government doesn't act, future governments will have to consider them. My vision is that both state and central governments must step up with financial and technical assistance to the farmers. Farm labourers must be given dignity through better wages, housing, and recognition. Punjab's rural economy can be revitalised through better pricing, value-addition in agriculture, and robust rural infrastructure. Apart from this, I am working on the issue of milk adulteration, which is a major concern. I proposed setting up milk testing facilities at every milk booth so people can verify purity before buying. For example, a survey in Barnala found that 45,000 litres of milk are purchased daily by Haryana—but Barnala doesn't even produce more than this. So where's the milk for local people coming from? Once adulteration stops, milk prices will naturally rise, improving farmers' economic condition. Q: Can you elaborate on your MSP-related proposals, including the Rs 100 per quintal incentive to manage stubble burning and the government's reaction to that? Charanjit Singh Channi: Punjab has fed the nation for decades. Now, when our farmers need support to diversify and save water, we must step up. I recommended an additional Rs 100 per quintal of paddy on top of the MSP—this would translate to about Rs 3,000 per acre, which farmers can use for stubble management. If stubble is burned even after this aid, legal action can follow and farmers' unions should not support such actions. I also urged the government to give legal status to the MSP, securing farmers' incomes. Our committee's recommendations have weight—the government must submit an Action-Taken Report. Q: You also speak about the cow shelter reforms. Charanjit Singh Channi: On cow shelters, I proposed a legally mandated minimum space for gaushalas. Many, like the one in Kharar, are overcrowded and in poor condition. I also suggested incentivising people to care for unproductive cows instead of abandoning them when they stop giving milk. Every cow should be registered to ensure accountability. Q: You often speak about working without fear or discrimination. What does that mean to you in today's political climate? Also, you often refer to Punjabiyat. How do you define it, and how does it shape your role as a national leader? Charanjit Singh Channi: Working without fear means standing up for truth, even if it invites personal hardship. Today, dissent is often suppressed, but I believe leadership demands courage. I've faced significant pushback while doing this. Even though our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, those who speak out often face suppression. I've personally faced multiple inquiries—income tax notices, ED cases…—but I stand firm. My voice is not just mine; it belongs to the people I represent. If we don't raise issues out of fear, we risk the erosion of democracy. As for Punjabiyat—it's a blend of culture, identity, hard work, and resilience. It's about preserving our language, traditions, and pride. As a national leader, Punjabiyat inspires me to speak up for justice and inclusivity and to represent the distinct ethos of Punjab at every level. Q: The Punjab government has taken a strong stance of not sharing river water with Haryana. Yet records show Punjab's successive governments have not fully utilised its share of water from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). How do you explain this contradiction? Charanjit Singh Channi: This is all political posturing. Our chief minister is toeing the line of Arvind Kejriwal, who is originally from Haryana, instead of challenging the Dam Safety Act, which was made for the safety of big dams, giving the Centre the upper hand over the big dams like Bhakra. Under central control, Punjab's rights may not be protected. Also, this Act gives the centre an upper hand in the management and distribution of Punjab's river water. In such a situation, the Punjab government has simply formed a committee on this rather than passing a resolution nullifying or challenging it. Q: The state recently launched the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign. How effective do you think these symbolic anti-drug marches are in tackling Punjab's drug crisis? And what message would you give to the youth of Punjab? Charanjit Singh Channi: These marches are more about optics than results. Government funds are being misused for PR exercises, while the root causes remain untouched. Unless the political and police patronage of drug lords ends, nothing will change. Just look at the recent hooch deaths in Amritsar—these happened under the full protection of some corrupt police officials and politicians. The nexus must be broken. To the youth of Punjab, I say, 'Punjab is known for hard work, dedication, and patriotism. Stay away from drugs, uphold our traditions, and rise above those who exploit you for petty gains.' Q: How do you assess the performance of the current Punjab government? This government has failed on all fronts—governance, crime control, unemployment, and drug eradication. Arvind Kejriwal, unelected in Punjab, is acting like its dictator chief minister, while Bhagwant Mann behaves like an elected dictator. They've misused the majority given to them. Take illegal sand mining, for instance—where is the Rs 20,000 crore they promised by legalising sand supply? There is land, sand and liquor mafia. Crime is at its peak. This is one of the worst governments Punjab has seen, with Delhi leaders looting the state's resources while the government turns a blind eye.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
J&K admin evacuates TG, AP, TN students to Jammu
Hyderabad: The Jammu and Kashmir administration took steps, following the intervention of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, to rescue students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and arrange transportation for their return home. Sanjay Kumar communicated with the Dean of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST) in Wadoora and sought the intervention of the Chief Secretary of J&K, Atal Dulloo. This response came after students from the Telugu states requested assistance from the Union Minister, as the region has been experiencing heightened volatility since Friday, with repeated attempts by Pakistan to breach Indian airspace in several locations across Jammu and Kashmir. According to Sanjay Kumar's office, of the 23 students evacuated, 'Seven are from Andhra Pradesh, six from Telangana, and ten from Tamil Nadu.' The evacuation is being coordinated by the Additional Commissioner of Sopore and the Resident Commissioner, Channi. A J&K Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus carrying the students and faculty from SKUAST departed at 10 am from Wadoora. Speaking to The Hans India, Sashi Kiran Reddy, a faculty member at SKUAST from Telangana, stated, 'Students from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra are en route to Jammu, then to Delhi, and from there to their respective states.' However, around 5:30 pm, they found themselves stuck in a one-kilometre-long traffic jam. Kashyap, another faculty member from Bhadradri-Kothagudem of Telangana, noted, 'The traffic is clearing at a snail's pace. With Jammu Airport closed and train services suspended, even if we reach Jammu between 10 and 11 pm, we will have to wait to figure out how to travel to Delhi—whether by road or through special train services, which can only be determined after reaching Jammu.' The Resident Commissioner, Channi, has been tasked with making arrangements for the students to reach Delhi. Earlier on Friday, students from Telangana studying at SKUAST and NIT, Kashmir, expressed their plight in an email, stating, 'We are stuck in a war zone. Although we are within the universities, the situation here is deteriorating rapidly. It is scary, and we are unable to leave Jammu and Kashmir as flight services have been suspended. Please evacuate us from this dangerous area immediately.' Taking note of their concerns, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay personally contacted the students to inquire about their situation. He then spoke to the District Collector concerned and the SKUAST Dean, requesting the safe relocation of the Telugu students. Following his instructions, the Jammu and Kashmir authorities have initiated the evacuation of the 23 students.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress leader Ajay Rai's 'toy Rafale jet' jibe amplified by Pakistani media, draws BJP's ire
Congress' Ajay Rai with a toy 'Rafale' (Source: X) NEW DELHI: The BJP launched a strong criticism of Congress after Pakistani media highlighted UP Congress chief Ajay Rai 's " toy Rafale jet " comments mocking the Centre. Also Read | 'Big talk, no action': Cong's neta stirs row with toy Rafale "Look at Ajay Rai, UP president of the pro-Pakistan Congress party, who is making headlines in Pakistani newspapers and channels. This is a conspiracy by the anti-Modi Congress party to break the morale of the army," BJP MP Nishikant Dubey posted on X. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla emphasized that Congress's repeated criticism of the armed forces wasn't coincidental. He suggested these actions showed cooperation with Pakistan, citing similar incidents involving Congress leaders Channi, Priyank Kharge, and RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. "Rahul Gandhi's close aide Ajay Rai has now managed to make it to the headlines of Pakistan thanks to his utterances and antics on Rafale. Channi, Priyank Kharge, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, Ajay Rai - the attack on 'manobal' (morale) of our Forces is not a 'sanyog' (conicidence) but sahyog (cooperation) to Pakistan," Poonawalla wrote on his X handle. Ajay Rai's 'toy Rafale jet' act The controversy arose when Ajay Rai, criticising the government's response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, displayed a toy Rafale aircraft decorated with lemons and chillies. He mocked the government's purchase of Rafale jets , claiming they were merely sitting in hangars with traditional ward-off-evil decorations. 'Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. But, this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists -- they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?' Rai said. The reference to lemons and chillies appeared to mock defence minister Rajnath Singh's 2019 traditional ceremony during India's first Rafale jet acquisition in France, where he performed a "puja" by placing lemons under the aircraft's wheels and a coconut on top.
