'Is Sidhu making self-goal for Congress in Punjab?' Charanjit Channi's answer

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi denied the notion that Sidhu's recent acts were detrimental to the party, he said: "No, there was no loss to the party. I work with my own attitude. I care for people."

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi today said that Navjot Singh Sidhu is leading the party in Punjab and "is free to make announcements". Speaking to Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Channi took a number of questions on Sidhu's recent activities and role in the party.

Channi denied the notion that Sidhu's recent acts were detrimental to the party, he said: "No, there was no loss to the party. I work with my own attitude. I care for people."

Clarifying Sidhu's act of making poll promises before manifesto launch, Channi said: "He only announced things that were discussed in party's manifesto committee."

Channi, on a question on Sidhu's ambitions to become the Chief Minister, said that everyone is "free to watch dreams". He further said that it serves no purpose to speculate on the probables for the top post.

Channi, referring to Sidhu's criticism of state government, said that he likes people who "criticise and guide him".

Channi on Amarinder Singh

Attacking Amarinder Singh for being unapproachable, Channi said that he only met the former chief minister "four times in four-year tenure". "It was very difficult to meet him, one had to wait for days," he said

"It was his habit that everyone should touch his feet," he said.  

"We are poor, we are from the middle class, we are happy with what we have, they are happy with rich people. We are happy to drink tea, they need people to drink alcohol at night," he said in reference to Amarinder Singh's elite lifestyle.

Channi On AAP

Channi claimed that the popularity of AAP or its chief Arvind Kejriwal has not increased.

"Last time, there was so much talk of Aam Aadmi Party, we thought we mayn't win many seats. But the results showed that out of 117, AAP was elected only to 20," Channi said.

"Many of them left the party later. This party is a fraud, people in the party are not of right kind. The people of Punjab are intelligent, they will take a good decision," he said

Channi added, "I have no grudges against anyone. But why will the people of Punjab choose outsiders? They will choose farmers. Why will they choose Delhiites?"