Fatehgarh Sahib: Inspired by CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s success, Dr Manohar Singh is cultivating political ambitions and mulling an early retirement from government service to “serve” the Bassi Pathana constituency. As former Senior Medical Officer at PHC, Nandpur Kalour, he remained active during the pandemic, reaching out to households for sampling. Known for easy accessibility, the CM’s sibling is now doing the rounds of social, cultural and sports events and religious gatherings, besides holding free health camps. In fact, his banners have come up in the area, offering services to those in need. While he was transferred a year ago to the Kharar Civil Hospital “against his will”, he is still active in the constituency. After his brother’s elevation to the top post in the state, people’s expectations have risen manifold and are often seen approaching him to get their work done.
Public outreach
Dera Baba Nanak: Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was accorded a warm welcome in his home seat of Dera Baba Nanak on Sunday. The Deputy CM zig-zagged his way through the area in a 30-car cavalcade. Unlike leaders in other parts of Punjab, Randhawa has strictly instructed his drivers to halt the vehicle in which he is travelling if anybody signals it to stop. Thus, a journey of three hours got extended to six hours as the young and the old tried to outmanoeuvre each other in an attempt to talk to the dignitary after making his car stop.
Grounded approach
Chandigarh: Apart from battling adversaries within the Punjab Congress, CM Charanjit Singh Channi is walking the extra mile to shun the tag of “inaccessible and inactive CM” associated with his predecessor. In fact, he is ensuring his actions on the ground are well-publicised. Ever since taking over the office, Channi has been seen interacting with the common man, besides announcing decisions such as trimming security cover to suggest he is accessible to all. So much so that he recently flew in the economy class from Delhi to Chandigarh, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The pictures with fellow passengers were circulated widely by the Congress. People are waiting to see whether Channi’s ‘aam aadmi’ approach will improve the life of the common man or is it just an act of symbolism!
Cadre in dilemma
Patiala: While leaders from across the state have been dropping in at the Yadavindra Colony residence of PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, who recently quit the post following differences over key appointments, the local Congress unit has been maintaining distance from Sidhu. Ghanaur MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur, who was till recently openly supporting Sidhu seeking Capt Amarinder Singh’s removal as CM, is nowhere to be seen now. While Sidhu is adamant on removal of the incumbent DGP and Advocate General, the cadre across the state is in a fix whether to support Sidhu or not, fearing “backlash”.
Contributed by Surinder Bhardwaj, Ravi Dhaliwal, Rajmeet Singh and Aman Sood
Following in brother’s footsteps
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