CHANDIGARH: Jat Sikhs are considered to be the most influential political group in Punjab, as reflected in the fact that the state has only had Jat Sikhs as chief ministers after reorganisation in 1966 — the only exceptions being Giani Zail Singh (1972-75), and Charanjit Singh Channi, who was appointed the first SC chief minister in September 2021 and had a short term of 111 days.
In fact, even among the Jat Sikh politicians the choice was largely limited as Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal became the chief minister five times and Captain Amarinder Singh twice.
