Charanjit Singh Channi, the outgoing chief minister of Punjab, tendered his resignation on Friday, a day after the Congress was voted out of power with Channi losing from both seats he contested the February 20 assembly elections from.
“I have given my resignation to the Governor. He told me and the Cabinet to continue until the new government is sworn-in. I accept the people’s mandate,” Channi said, according to news agency.
He added that he will always be there to serve the people of Punjab. “We will continue doing our duty and be among them. I request the new government to continue the public welfare projects and schemes that we brought in, in the last 111 days,” Channi, who succeeded Captain Amarinder Singh in September 2020, further said.
The now-interim chief minister, the first person from the Dalit community to hold the top post, contested the elections from his traditional Chamkaur Sahib seat, along with Bhadaur, losing to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates in both places. From Chamkaur Sahib, he was defeated by his namesake, Charanjit Singh, while Labh Singh Ugoke defeated him from Bhadaur.