Punjab Congress suspends Navjot Kaur Sidhu after 'Rs 500 crore CM post' remark

A day after Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu triggered a political row by claiming that the party takes “Rs 500 crore in a suitcase” from anyone aspiring to become Chief Minister, the state unit on Monday suspended her with immediate effect. The official letter has not stated any reason for the sudden move.

Her remarks came as she was 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. It has also revived internal rumblings within the Punjab Congress unit.

Navjot Kaur, speaking to reporters after meeting with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday, alleged that significant sums of money



influence top political appointments in Punjab.

"We do not have Rs 500 crore to give to sit in the chief minister’s chair," and adding, "the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CM."

She stated that she and Sidhu "speak only for Punjab" and insisted that nobody had directly demanded money from them. Kaur also criticised the Punjab Congress for deep internal infighting, claiming that at least five leaders are vying for the chief minister post and would not allow Sidhu to be projected as the party's candidate.

She maintained that Sidhu would re-enter politics if Congress officially named him its chief ministerial candidate; otherwise, he is "happy" earning outside politics.