Congressman Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s allegation that it needs “Rs 500 crore in a bag” for anyone to become the state’s chief minister has sparked a significant political dispute in Punjab.
Her statement, which she made while claiming that her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu would only resume active politics if the Congress designated him as its chief minister, has sparked intense political backlash and reignited internal discord within the Punjab Congress unit.
After visiting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday, Navjot Kaur told reporters that while they “represent exclusively for Punjab,” they do not have the type of money that she claims impacts high-level political appointments.
“The person who offers a bag of Rs 500 crore becomes the chief minister,” she stated, adding that no one has asked for money from them. “We do not have Rs 500 crore to contribute to sit in the chief minister’s chair.”
Additionally, she accused the Punjab Congress of engaging in intense internal strife, saying that Sidhu would not be allowed to be presented as the chief minister since at least five politicians are vying for the top position.
In spite of this, she said that Sidhu will regain prominence in politics should Congress formally declare him their candidate for chief minister. She said that he is “satisfied” with his income outside of politics.
Navjot Kaur’s comments was swiftly seized upon by the Bharatiya Janata Party, who said it was evidence of “institutionalized corruption” inside the Congress.
Her statement, said to BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi, demonstrates how corruption has taken over the Congress “from leaders to cadres.”
He remarked, “She has stated that anyone may consider becoming chief minister only if he has Rs 500 crore in his bag. Congress has been completely involved in corrupt activities.”
Sunil Jakhar, the leader of the Punjab BJP, responded as well, attributing her assertion to the Congress’s track record of transactional politics. Jakhar claimed to have heard that a former chief minister of the Congress reportedly paid Rs 350 crore to get the position.
At the same time, Jakhar launched a furious assault on the AAP administration, accusing Punjab of having a total breakdown in law and order and referring to the state police as “uniformed thugs.” He questioned why Punjab had so many high-ranking police personnel and charged some of them with corruption and extortion.
He called on Punjabis to “give BJP one chance” to improve the system, stating that the state need strong government and accountability.
The former head of the Punjab Congress, Sidhu, recently started a personal YouTube channel, returned to IPL commentary, abstained from campaigning in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and has been quiet inside the party for months.
Prior to the 2027 Assembly elections, Navjot Kaur’s comments coincide with the Punjab Congress’s internal strife. Her remarks have increased public awareness of the party’s leadership void as well as internal strife.
