Congress MLA Charanjit Singh Channi took oath as Punjab's 16th Chief Minister on Monday. The oath of office was administered by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit at a ceremony in the Raj Bhavan. The event was attended by prominent Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Channi a three-time MLA from Rupnagar's Chamkaur Sahib - will be Punjab's first Dalit Chief Minister. Previously, he has served as Technical Education Minister in the outgoing Captain Amarinder Singh government.
Following the appointment, congratulatory messages have poured in from several quarters. Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed Gandhi and Sidhu congratulating the new Chief Minister and the event. Others have also taken to social media platforms to extends their good wishes.
"Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi Ji on being sworn-in as Punjab’s Chief Minister. Will continue to work with the Punjab government for the betterment of the people of Punjab," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
