Punjab polls: Congress leaders anxious as ‘poor man’ Channi faces attack over his assets

A number of Congress leaders feel that Rahul should have referred to him as “aam aadmi” rather than “gareeb aadmi” as it could be anticipated that he would be attacked by the opposition for the poor man remark.

Rahul Gandhi, Charanjit Singh Channi, Punjab Assembly elections 2022, Congress, Punjab Congress, Indian Express, India news, current affairs, Indian Express News Service, Express News Service, Express News, Indian Express India News

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi has dinner at a dhaba in Ludhiana. PTI

Former AICC president Rahul Gandhi’s reference to Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as “gareeb aadmi” while announcing him as party’s CM face a few days ago, has provided a handle to the opposition to attack him. The claims by party’s opponents pointing to Channi’s net worth has made Congress leaders are uneasy.

A number of Congress leaders feel that Rahul should have referred to him as “aam aadmi” rather than “gareeb aadmi” as it could be anticipated that he would be attacked by the opposition for the poor man remark.

Sources said that the Congress, playing SC card in naming Channi as CM candidate, did not want to come across as fielding an SC as the party had the image of being a secular party. So, they decided to project him as a poor man.

Another party leader, however, said that Rahul Gandhi had called him “gareeb ghar ka CM” and “jisne gareebi dekhi hai.”

Also, the leader said, “How does Channi come across as an affluent man? He dresses up so simply. His lifestyle does not reek of dirty riches. He squats on the ground at a poor man’s house to savour saag and makki di roti. Is it a crime to be born to a poor man and then make a decent living for oneself?”

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann was the first one to raise the issue to say that Channi had property worth Rs 170 crore and he was not a poor man. Channi was quick to refute that attack and say that Bhagwant Mann aspired to be CM when he was not even capable of doing basis maths.

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Channi went on to call Mann an “illeterate” who could not even read the affidavit well. The CM said that in the affidavit he was worth Rs 1.70 crore and Mann was making it to be Rs 170 crore.

As per Channi’s affidavit submitted to ECI while filing his nomination from Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur, he and his wife are worth Rs 9.44 crore.

An aide of Bhagwant Mann said that Mann was given information by a close aide of Channi about his property. ”Why would Mann give a wrong figure? Channi would be much more that Rs 170 crore.”

But Channi’s counter failed to shield him from more attacks.

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After Mann, several political party leaders attacked Channi. Even, PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu’s family has also countered Rahul Gandhi’s claim of Channi being a poor man.

Interestingly, Navjot Sidhu’s wife Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu has been saying, “If you check the IT returns of Channi and Sidhu, the latter would turn out to be poorer than the former.”

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also reacted to Rahul’s reference to Channi and asked how could anyone be poor if his nephew keeps Rs 10 crore at home.

BJP leader Tarun Chugh also questioned Channi saying he had property worth crores and he could not be a poor man by any yardstick.
Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has also been making it a point to attack Channi by referring to raids by Enforcement Directorate on his nephew. On Wednesday, he asked, “How can Channi claim to be a poor aam aadmi?” Amarinder said Rs 10 crore confiscated from his nephew were earned from illegal sand mining as well as transfers and postings.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More