"Caught With Hand In Till": Punjab Congress Leader Blasts CS Channi

Weeks before the election, Charanjit Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey was arrested after raids by the Enforcement Directorate revealed a large amount of cash at his home.

Punjab Congress leader Sunil Jakhar today blamed the party's crushing defeat in the state on the choice of Charanjit Singh Channi, saying that the Chief Minister had been caught with his "hand in the till" when he was brought in to fight the perception of corruption.

"I do not want them to compound this mistake again. The way he was built up as a hero - a guy who was caught with his hand in the till. For a leader you need chaal, chalan, charitra (good conduct, integrity, character). There is nothing which inspires confidence in him. You want to build him as a hero, a mascot? I'm sorry, I don't accept him," Mr Jakhar told NDTV, blasting the outgoing Chief Minister in an exclusive interview.

"The Congress worker in Punjab deserves better."

Weeks before the election, Mr Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey was arrested after raids by the Enforcement Directorate revealed a large amount of cash at his home. Honey was accused of making money from illegal sand mining. Mr Channi distanced himself from the allegations.