Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has ignited a major political row in Punjab after claiming that it allegedly takes “Rs 500 crore in a suitcase” for anyone to become the state’s chief minister.
Her remark, made while asserting that her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu would return to active politics only if the Congress declared him its CM face, has triggered sharp political backlash and revived internal rumblings within the Punjab Congress unit.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday, Navjot Kaur said they “speak only for Punjab”, but lack the kind of money she alleges influences top political appointments.
“We do not have Rs 500 crore to give to sit in the chief minister’s chair,” she said, adding that no one had demanded money from them but “the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CM”.
She also accused the Punjab Congress of deep internal infighting, claiming that at least five leaders are aspiring for the top post and would not allow Sidhu to be projected as the CM face.
Despite this, she insisted Sidhu would return to the political forefront if Congress officially announces him as its chief ministerial candidate. Otherwise, she said, he is “happy” earning well outside politics.
The Bharatiya Janata Party quickly latched onto Navjot Kaur’s statement, calling it proof of “institutionalised corruption” within Congress.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that her remark shows corruption “from leaders to cadres” has consumed the Congress.
“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,” he said.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also reacted, linking her claim to what he described as the Congress’ history of transactional politics. Jakhar said he had heard that a former Congress chief minister allegedly paid Rs 350 crore to secure the post.
Jakhar simultaneously launched a fierce attack on the AAP government, calling the state police “uniformed gangsters” and alleging Punjab was facing a complete law-and-order breakdown. He questioned why Punjab had such a large number of senior police officials and accused some officers of extortion and corruption.
He urged Punjabis to “give BJP one chance” to fix the system, saying the state needed accountability and strong governance.
Sidhu, the former Punjab Congress chief, has been inactive within the party for months, skipped campaigning in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, returned to IPL commentary, and recently launched a personal YouTube channel.
Navjot Kaur’s remarks come at a time when Punjab Congress is struggling with factional rifts, ahead of Assembly elections in 2027. Her comments have brought both the internal discord and the party’s leadership vacuum into sharper public focus.
The AAP government has not officially reacted yet.
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With inputs from agencies
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