Rabia Sidhu Mocks At Rahul Gandhi's Claims That CM Channi Is 'Poor', Says More Than ₹133 crores Will Be Found If His Bank Account Is Checked

Rabia Sidhu, the daughter of senior Congress leader Navjot Sidhu, mocked claims that incumbent Punjab Chief Minister Chief Minister Charanjith Singh Channi is a 'poor man'.

“Is Channi really poor? Check his bank accounts, more than ₹133 crore will be found,” Rabia told reporters.

Rabia is campaigning for her father who in contesting from Amritsar (East) constituency.

"Maybe they (high command) had some compulsion. But you can't stop an honest man for long. Dishonest man has to eventually stop," Rabia said referring to decision by Rahul Gandhi to anoint Channi as party's chief ministerial face in the upcoming state elections.

“He (Sidhu) has been working for Punjab for the last 14 years, he has been creating a new model for the state. He should be respected,” Rabia said.

“The victory will be of truth,” she added.

Rabia said her father was the only leader capable of saving Punjab from its corrupt politicians.

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

While announcing him as party’s CM face a few days ago, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi had introduced Channi as “gareeb aadmi”.

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.

Congress's attempt to project as a 'poor man' as provided a lot of ammunition for the opposition parties in the state. The CM's alleged connections to sand mining mafia and arrest of his nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey on money laundering charges have dented CM's attempt to portray himself as a 'gareeb aadmi".

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Honey and nine others, including six mining contractors, in the illegal sand mining case. The raids resulted in a seizure of ₹10 crore. The ED conducted searches at Honey's properties in Ludhiana and Mohali. Honey was arrested on February 3 on money laundering charges.

Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also launched a scathing attack on Channi. “How can Channi claim to be a poor aam aadmi?” a bemused Amarinder asked reporters. He said that Rs 10 crore confiscated from his nephew were earned from illegal sand mining as well as transfers and postings.