After much anticipation and drama in the political corridors of Punjab, incumbent Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was declared the CM face of the Congress in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.

Making the announcement, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that it was not he who made the choice, but the people of Punjab, who said "we want someone from a poor home as the chief minister."

The question of who would become the CM candidate had been festering in the Punjab Congress for months, with constant infighting between CM Channi and Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had even gone on to resign in protest earlier last year.

Now that Channi has been chosen, will the Congress' plan to consolidate the decisive Dalit votes in Punjab work? Also, what is next for Sidhu?

To unpack this, in today's episode, I am joined by my colleagues Aditya Menon, The Quint's Political Editor, and Himanshi Dahiya, The Quint's correspondent, who has been travelling extensively across Punjab to cover the election.

Host and Producer: Himmat Shaligram

Editor: Aditya Menon

Punjab Elections: AAP Rising in Majha But It's Up Against Congress & SAD Bigwigs

Punjab Elections: How Batala Became Symbolic of the State's Industrial Decay

Punjab Elections 2022: Charanjit Singh Channi on Captain, Kejriwal, & Congress

Punjab Polls 2022: 'Channi Stands With the Poor,' Say Bhadaur Residents

Does the Change of Guard in Punjab Signal a Congress Party Makeover?

Music: Big Bang Fuzz

Apple: https://apple.co/2AYdLIl

Saavn: http://bit.ly/2oix78C

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/2ntMV7S

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2IyLAUQ

Deezer: http://bit.ly/2Vrf5Ng

Castbox: http://bit.ly/2VqZ9ur