Starting his political career as a municipal councillor in early 2000s, a law-graduate and an MBA Charanjit Singh Channi would take over Punjab’s reins on Monday when he would take oath as the state’s 16th Chief Minister.

Three-time MLA from Chankaur Sahib constituency, Channi has an impressive academic and political career, coupled with a combination of Sikh and a Dalit leader, that worked in his favour for his elevation to the top job.

A law graduate and also an MBA, Channi is currently holding the charge of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Tourism and Cultural Affairs departments.

In nothing short of a real life story of a rise from rags to riches, Channi rose up to become the Chief Minister of the border-state after starting as a grassroots-level leader.

He won the local bodies polls on a Congress ticket from Kharar in the early 2000s. Being a Municipal Councilor for three terms and then becoming the president of Kharar Municipal Council for two terms, Channi was elected to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for the first time in 2007 but as an independent.

He rebelled after the Congress denied him the party ticket in 2007, and contested the polls against the party nominee, and won as an independent. He then became an associate member of the Shiromani Akali Dal in the Assembly, which was in power at that time.

In 2010, Channi returned to the Congress  with Capt Amarinder’s help. In 2012 and then again in 2017, Channi was elected MLA from Chakaur Sahib. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha from 2015 to 2016, after the Dalit factor worked in his favour and he was elected the Congress Legislative Party leader, replacing Sunil Jakhar. He was appointed a Minister in Capt Amarinder Singh’s Cabinet on March 16, 2017.

Channi completed his law graduation while being a member of the legislative assembly. He has also vociferously lent voice to the Dalits’ cause while being in opposition and also in power.

Despite being a member of the Cabinet, Channi has often criticised the style of functioning of the government on various issues. He has been an open critic of the government on the issues concerning the Dalits and has accused the government of neglecting the community in the government appointments.

He was also among the four ministers who have been vocal about their criticism for the government and its inaction in 2015 when Sikh religious text Guru Granth Sahib was desecrated, and police personnel open-fired during peaceful protests.