ahead-of-punjab-polls-channi-promises-free-education-healthcare

Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday promised major welfare and anti-corruption reforms in Punjab if the Congress returns to power. He said the party would work to create a system where government employees would have little scope for corruption. He also promised free education and healthcare for the poor and middle-class families.

 

Speaking in Chandigarh, Channi said he had stayed away from active politics for around four and a half years. During this period, he said, he focused on research and studies.

 

“I have been away from politics for 4.5 years, during which I conducted research and studies. Now, we will bring reforms to ensure that government officials cannot indulge in corruption. The poor and middle class should get better benefits from the welfare system. Education and healthcare will be completely free. We will bring this model to Punjab and implement it if Congress forms the government,” he said.

 

On missing the recent Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi, Channi said he had informed the party leadership beforehand. He said he did not want to skip his examination for a meeting that is held every month.

 

“I told the party High Command that I did not want to miss my examination for a meeting that takes place every month,” he said. Channi’s relationship with the Congress leadership has remained somewhat unpredictable, with periods of distance followed by occasional public appearances and engagement.

 

He was not present at the recent CWC meeting in New Delhi as he was appearing for his Master’s examination in Public Administration at Panjab University.
Channi’s statements come at a time when differences over leadership are being discussed within the Punjab Congress. The party is also preparing for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

 

Other major political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal, have also started preparing for the upcoming state elections.

 

The AAP secured a clear majority in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections and formed its first government in the state. The result brought an end to the Congress government’s tenure in Punjab.