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New Delhi: The political landscape of Punjab is abuzz with a clear ultimatum from Navjot Kaur Sidhu regarding her husband and former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's return to the political fray. She said that her husband will return to politics only if the party anoints him as its chief ministerial candidate.
This statement came from the party leader and wife of the cricket-turned-politician on Saturday, injecting a fresh wave of speculation into the state's future leadership in the Congress party.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Navjot Kaur Sidhu expressed her stance. She asserted that while they may not possess the financial clout to "buy" a position, their commitment to Punjab's welfare is unwavering.
"We always speak for Punjab and Punjabiyat," she said, adding, "but do not have Rs 500 crore which we can give to sit in the chief minister’s chair."
When pressed on whether such demands had been made, she clarified that no one had directly asked for money, but rather, "the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore, he becomes the CM."
She put forward her terms for her husband's re-entering politics. "If any party gives him that power so that he can improve Punjab. We do not have money to give it to any party, but we will give results, and we will turn Punjab into a golden state," she told, vowing to transform Punjab.
Adding another layer to the complex Congress dynamics, Navjot Kaur Sidhu also voiced concerns about significant "infighting" within the party's Punjab unit. She alleged the presence of five strong contenders vying for the CM's position, who, she believes, are actively working to impede Sidhu's elevation.
Despite these internal struggles, she reiterated her husband's deep allegiance to the Congress and particularly to party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. "But with so much infighting, I do not feel that they will let Navjot Sidhu be promoted as there are already five CMs faces, and they are hell bent on defeating the Congress. If they (high command) understand this, then it is a different matter," she warned, hinting at the high command's crucial role in resolving the internal tussle.
Navjot Singh Sidhu himself has maintained a low profile in Congress affairs for several months, notably absent from the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. During this period, he made a high-profile return to cricket commentary in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season and launched his own YouTube channel in April, where he shares insights on cricket, lifestyle, and other diverse topics.
Earlier, when questioned about his potential return to active politics, Sidhu had cryptically stated that "time will tell," emphasising that his foray into politics was always for "people’s welfare" and never a "business."
