Congress announcement of Channi as CM face for Punjab 'victory of sand mafia', says Sukhbir Singh Badal

Patiala (Punjab): Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday termed Congress' announcement of naming Charanjit Singh Channi as the party's chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming polls as the "victory of sand mafia."

"It's the victory of the sand 'mafia'. Their CM face is a sand 'mafia'," said Badal.

He further added, "People of Punjab have made their mind. We (SAD) are winning the polls with a landslide victory."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday announced in Ludhiana that incumbent Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi will be Congress chief ministerial face in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.

Channi has been accused by opposition parties of being involved in 'sand mafia' pursuant to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid the house of Channi's relative.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized more than Rs 10 crore cash, gold worth above 21 lakh and a Rolex watch worth Rs 12 lakh from the residential premises of land mafia Bhupinder Singh Honey, a relative of state Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, and others in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining case.

Punjab will go to the polls on February 14 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)