Today on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi reached Jalandhar’s Eidgah as the chief guest. However, on talking to media at the spot, the Ex-CM sounded unsure when asked about him contesting the elections. He was seen deflecting the issue of contesting the election from Jalandhar seat. He said that the decision rests with the high command, and if they ask him to contest from any constituency in Punjab, then he will fight the elections there.
However, the reason behind his hesitation is likely to be increased activity of the Enforcement Directorate. Following the spree of arrests by ED, several high-profile politicians have been put on alert. Channi himself has had a few run-ins with ED in the past.
In particular, Channi was under ED’s radar in regards to the illegal Sand Mining Case in 2018. Not only this, Channi’s nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey was arrested by the ED under money laundering charges in the same case ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections in 2022. Channi was questioned for hours by ED in regards to the case, with speculation saying he may be summoned again soon.
Hence, his hesitation to contest in the Jalandhar is likely to keep himself off ED’s radar. Sources inform that majority of Congress high command approves of Channi’s ticket for Jalandhar, however he faces opposition from former MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary’s family, i.e his wife Karamjit Kaur and Vikramjit Singh Chaudhar. He himself seems hesitant to contest the Jalandhar seat as BJP’s political rivals have been facing trouble recently. ED’s increased activity has raised the guards of several prominent politicians since Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, in regards to the Delhi Liquor Excise case.