Punjab politics erupted into sharp controversy on Saturday after former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, claimed that a “suitcase full of Rs 500 crore” is required to become the state’s Chief Minister. She added that it is an amount her husband cannot and will not pay.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria over the “deteriorating” law-and-order situation, Kaur alleged that corruption and monetary deals decide leadership posts in Punjab. She did not name any party explicitly.
She asserted that Sidhu, who is currently politically inactive, would only return if he is projected as the party’s CM candidate. “There are already five chief ministerial faces in the Congress who are busy making the party lose,” she said, accusing senior leaders of infighting and sabotage. She further said the Sidhus “don’t have Rs 500 crore to give anyone, but we can turn Punjab into a golden state”.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former cricketer and TV personality, has remained loyal to the Congress and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, she said, implying that his ambitions are being stifled despite grassroots popularity.
Congress leaders push back
While Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring declined to comment, calling it a matter for the high command, former Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa launched a fierce attack on the couple.
“It seems the mission for which the Sidhu family came to the Congress has been completed,” Randhawa said. He accused Sidhu of functioning as a “mouthpiece of the opposition”, damaging the party during crucial phases. He asked whether Sidhu would now reveal “how much he paid” to become Punjab Congress president earlier.
BJP and AAP seize the moment
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, who previously served in the Congress, claimed he too was told that Rs 350 crore could secure the CM post. “I don’t have a recording… maybe Mrs Sidhu has one,” he remarked.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said Kaur’s admission exposed the “auction system” within the Congress. “It shows a complete moral collapse in the party,” he said.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also slammed the Congress. AAP chief spokesperson Kuldeep Dhaliwal called the episode proof of the “internal arrogance and self-destruction” of the grand old party. “Five people are roaming around Punjab claiming to be CM,” he said, linking the disarray to the Congress’ disastrous performance in recent local elections.