Charanjit Singh Channi is an Indian politician who became the 16th Chief Minister of Punjab on 20 September 2021. At the Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh, he was sworn in as the first Dalit Sikh Chief Minister of Punjab, India.
Punjab CM Shri Charanjit Singh Channi Ji’s 1st press conference. #कांग्रेस_दे_नाल_पंजाब pic.twitter.com/NXZwXOOyPT
— Rohit Jhaliwal ( sahu ) (@RJhaliwal_inc) September 20, 2021
Table of Contents
Wiki/Biography
Charanjit Singh Channi was born on Friday, 1 March 1963 (age 58 years; as of 2021) in Village Makrona Kalan, Chamkaur Sahib, Punjab, India. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He gained his school education from Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar. He then attained his post-graduation in political science from Punjab University, Chandigarh. Later, he pursued BA and LLB from the same University. After completing his law degree from PU, he went to Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Punjab to pursue MBA. Later he joined Panjab University again to pursue PhD in Political Science.
Physical Appearance
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is S. Harsa Singh. His mother’s name is Late Ajmer Kaur. Channi lives in a joint family. He has three brothers named Manmohan Singh (retired chief engineer), Dr Manohar Singh (a medical specialist in the Punjab government), and Sukhwant Singh Sukhi (a budding leader). The name of one of his sisters is Surinder Kaur.
Wife & Children
Charanjit Singh Channi is married to Dr Kamaljit Kaur, and she is a doctor.
Charanjit Singh Channi’s wife
The couple has town sons named Navjit Singh (a passed out student from PEC University, and a Law student) and Rhythmjit Singh.
Charanjit Singh Channi with his family members
Caste
Charanjit Singh Channi belongs to a Ramdasia community of Punjab.
Address
House No 1661, Gurdwara Road, Kharar, District Mohali, Punjab.
Career
Charanjit Singh Channi was inclined towards politics since his teenage. He was chosen as the student union leader when he was pursuing matriculation at Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar. In school elections, he defeated his two rivals by winning 472 votes out of 1000. In his graduation, he was chosen as the general secretary of the students’ union at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh. Later, he was chosen as the General Secretary of the Punjab Youth Congress. Charanjit Singh Channi started his political career in 2002 when he was elected as the leader of the opposition party in the 14th Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He served as the President of Municipal Council, Kharar for two years. Then, he was appointed as the Municipal Councillor of Kharar for three years. Later, he worked as a Member of the Committee on Public Undertakings, Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Committee on Public Accounts and Privileges Committee of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He also worked as a member of PPCC (Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee) for some time. In 2007, 2012, and 2017, Charanjit Singh Channi served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha from Chamkaur Sahib constituency. In 2007, Channi won the independent seat from Chamkaur Sahib constituency against a Congress candidate and became an associate member of the Shiromani Akali Dal in the Assembly. In December 2010, Captain Amrinder Gill helped Charanjit Singh Channi to enter the Indian National Congress. The senior Congress leader CP Joshi helped Charanjit Singh Channi to make good relations with Rahul Gandhi after his return to the Indian National Congress in 2010. Charanjit Singh Channi served a the opposition leader in the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 2015 to 2016. He was elected as the Cabinet Minister of Technical Education & Industrial Traning and Employment Generation and Training, Tourism and Culture Affairs in the Punjab Government. On 20 September 2021, he became the 16th Chief Minister of Panjab who became famous for being the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab. He succeeded Captain Amrinder Singh as Chief Minister of Punjab. Captain Amrinder Singh resigned from the post on 18 September 2021. The Deputy Chief Ministers of Punjab who were also appointed with him were Sukhjinder Randhawa and OP Soni.
Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and OP Soni were sworn in as deputies to Charanjit Singh Channi, the 16th chief minister of Punjab, in Chandigarh
On 19 September 2021, Congress in-charge Harish Rawat declared on his Twitter account that Charanjit Singh Channi was selected as the 16th Chief Minister of Punjab. He tweeted,
It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Sh. Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab.”
Charanjit Singh Channi Tweeted after being chosen as the 16th Chief Minister of Punjab,
Heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the top leadership for appointing me Chief Minister of Punjab…I will always work for the welfare of the people and to give new energy and momentum to the sustainable development journey of the state.”
Controversies
Channi built an illegal road from a park outside his house after he was appointed as the Cabinet Minister in 2017. He did this construction on the advice of his astrologer. The astrologer advised him to build a road outside his home facing the east direction. However, the road was soon demolished by the Chandigarh authorities. On the advice of his astrologer, he was once seen riding an elephant at his home.
Charanjit Singh Channi trolled on several media accounts in February 2021 when his video went viral while flipping a coin to offer a single position to two lecturer candidates. BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal blamed him for playing with the sentiments of the job seekers. Soon, Channi gave a statement that the toss was done with the consent of both the lecturers as they were both equally eligible for the post.
A leader of the Aam Aadmi Party Sukhpal Khaira blamed Charanjit Singh Channi in March 2018 for the illegal mining of sand in Malikpur mine in district Nawanshahr, Punjab. Later, Channi cleared that the images shown by Khaira were from a public function. Channi further claimed that his family members were also not involved in this case.
In 2018, Charanjit Singh Channi was involved in recommending the transfer of an IAS officer only because he did not like that officer.
A case under the #MeToo Movement was reopened against Charanjit Singh Channi in May 2021 by the Punjab Women’s Commission. He was accused of sending inappropriate messages to an IAS officer ‘Kavita Singh’ in 2018.
Assets/Properties
Movable Assets
Deposits in Banks: Rs 42,64,000
NSS, Postal Savings: Rs 5,00,000
Motor Vehicles: Rs 37,00,000
Gross Total Value: Rs 1,31,14,000
Immovable Assets
Agricultural Land: Rs 9,20,00,000
Commercial Buildings: Rs 2,50,00,000
Residential Buildings: Rs 1,50,00,000
Total Immovable Assets: Rs 13,20,00,000
Liabilities
Loans from Banks: Rs 10,84,000
Net Worth (approx.)
As of 2017, Charanjit Singh Channi’s net worth was around Rs. 14,40,30,000 Crores.
Facts/Trivia
On 20 September 2021, Channi went on a motorbike as a pillion rider to take the oath at Panjab Bhavan. The motorbike was driven by Sunil Jakhar, the former PPCC (Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee).
Charanjit Singh Channi reached the Punjab Bhawan, riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by Sunil Jakhar, former PPCC chief
Charanjit Singh Channi’s father migrated to Malaysia, when he was young, for earning his livelihood. He belonged to a poor family. He worked hard in Malaysia. Later, his father returned to India as a rich person and started a tent house business in Kharar, Punjab where Charanjit Singh Channi helped his father in his business as a tent boy in childhood. Later, his father contested in the local village elections. Soon, he started serving as a sarpanch and a member of Block Samiti in his village after winning the elections.
As per Charanjit Singh Channi, he wants to help others by spreading goodness, love, compassion and wisdom. In an interview with a media house, he explained his motive to help people in his area. He stated,
My purpose for being on this earth is to help others recognize, develop, and use their God-given intuitive abilities to ease suffering and grow in goodness, love, compassion, and wisdom. My mission is to help take away fear living, by showing how we can tap in to our wisest selves and make our lives happier and prosper. My desire is to help each of us connect to the love that is eternal and that is the reason for our existence.”
Charanjit Singh Channi was a national level handball player. He represented Panjab University thrice in handball. He was also a winner of a gold medal in the Inter-University Sports Meet at Panjab University. He is also excelled in Bhangra. NCC, NSS, Cultural activities and debate competitions were actively participated by Channi during his academics.
Charanjit Singh Channi is a BA, LLB, Post – Graduate in political science, MBA and a PhD in political science from Panjab University. In an interview, he revealed his love for studies. He stated,
I study for the love of education, not qualification.”
Charanjit Singh Channi’s inspiration to study while in service is his elder brother Manmohan Singh. Channi disclosed in an interview that his brother was a diploma holder when he got his government service; but later, he did his graduation, B.Tech, and LLB while in service.
Charanjit Singh Cahnni believes in hard work and lifelong learning. While conversing with a media house, he narrated,
Your ability to expand your mind and strive for lifelong learning is critical to not only your success but also for the success of the people you serve.”
South Korea, Dubai, Singapore, and England are Channi’s favourite places to travel.
Social service is Channi’s field of interest.
Charanjit Channi believes in astrology. According to his friends, Channi does ‘weird’ things to keep shining in politics. Once, he did an illegal construction of a road outside his house when he was chosen as the cabinet minister of Punjab in 2017 on the advice of his astrologer. He was once seen riding an elephant in his house’s lawn on the advice of his astrologer, and this scene went viral on social media that left many people entertained.
Charanjit Singh Channi drives his car himself. He also pays toll taxes on highways. He was a student leader and a self-made politician. He is also recognised as the saviour of the Dalits.
On 20 September 2021, Mayawati, Bahujan Samaj Party Chief congratulated Charanjit Singh Channi on being chosen as the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab. She Tweeted,
I congratulate Charanjit Singh Channi on becoming Punjab CM. It would have been better if he had been appointed as CM earlier. Channi’s appointment as CM a few months ahead of Punjab assembly elections appears to be a poll gimmick. I have also come to know through media that the next Punjab assembly elections will be fought under the leadership of a non-dalit. This means that Congress still does not fully trust the dalits. Congress is also scared of the SAD-BSP alliance in Punjab.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s congratulation Tweet for Channi.
A congratulations Tweet by Narendra Modi for Charanjit Singh Channi
Rahul Gandhi also Tweeted to congratulate Channi.
A congratulations Tweet by Rahul Gandhi for Charanjit Singh Channi
Navjot Singh Sidhu congratulated Charanjit Singh Channi on being selected as the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab.
A Tweet by Navjot Singh Sidhu for Charanjit Singh Channi