Navjot Kaur Sidhu reacts to party suspension after claiming Rs 500 crore is needed to become Punjab CM, sparking political outrage.
The Punjab Congress on Monday suspended Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, following her explosive claim that anyone aspiring to become Chief Minister must pay Rs 500 crore in a suitcase. The official order did not specify the reason for the suspension.
Her remark, made on Sunday, reignited internal party tensions and drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking after a meeting with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Navjot Kaur Sidhu alleged, “We do not have Rs 500 crore to give to sit in the chief minister’s chair. The one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CM.”
She added that at least five leaders within the Punjab Congress are competing for the top post, preventing her husband from being projected as the party’s chief ministerial candidate. Despite the controversy, she said Sidhu would return to active politics if formally declared the CM face.
The BJP quickly seized on her statement, calling it proof of “institutionalised corruption” in the Congress. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, “She has said anybody can think of becoming CM only if he has Rs 500 crore in his suitcase. Congress has been totally engulfed in corrupt practices.”
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar linked her claim to the party’s history of transactional politics. Jakhar also criticized the AAP government, calling the state police “uniformed gangsters” and alleging rampant corruption and law-and-order failures.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, once the Punjab Congress chief, has remained largely inactive within the party. He skipped campaigning in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, returned to IPL commentary, and launched a personal YouTube channel. His wife’s comments have added another layer of complexity to his potential political comeback.
Navjot Kaur’s remarks not only exposed alleged corruption within the Punjab Congress but also highlighted ongoing internal conflicts over the party’s leadership. Analysts suggest that this incident could delay Sidhu’s formal return to frontline politics, while the BJP and AAP may use the controversy to influence voters in upcoming elections.
