Navjot Kaur Sidhu Launches Scathing Attack on Rahul Gandhi, Extols PM Modi
In a dramatic political development from Amritsar, expelled Congress functionary Navjot Kaur Sidhu launched a blistering critique against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, accusing him of being "completely disconnected from ground realities" while simultaneously showering praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The former Congress member, who is the wife of former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, made these explosive remarks during a television interview that has sent shockwaves through political circles.
Independent Candidacy Announcement and BJP Overtures
Navjot Kaur Sidhu has already declared her intention to contest as an independent candidate from Amritsar East constituency in the upcoming elections. Despite her independent stance, her remarks about Prime Minister Modi appeared to signal potential alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party. She described Modi as a "very spiritual person" in what political observers are interpreting as a clear attempt to cozy up to the ruling party at the center.
Interestingly, her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu remains a member of the Congress party, though he holds no official position and has maintained political inactivity in recent times. He has neither resigned from the party nor faced expulsion, creating a complex family dynamic within Punjab politics.
Eight Months of "Ghosting" and Leadership Critique
During her television appearance, Navjot Kaur Sidhu questioned Rahul Gandhi's fundamental right to lead the opposition, delivering a pointed assessment of his leadership style. "Rahul Gandhi talks sense, but what he does and what he says are worlds apart," she asserted, revealing that the core of her frustration stemmed from what she described as an eight-month period of being "ghosted" by the party leadership.
"I was asking for a meeting for eight months to tell him that his appointees are not doing justice to Punjab. Your party is already sold, what tickets are you talking about? Your tickets have already been sold under your nose," she claimed with visible exasperation. This allegation of ticket distribution irregularities adds another layer to her critique of the Congress party's internal functioning.
Financial Sacrifices and Unfulfilled Promises
The former Congress functionary emphasized her professional and financial background to underscore the sacrifices she and her husband made for politics. She revealed that as a practicing gynecologist, she was earning approximately Rs 40 lakh per month, while her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu was making nearly Rs 25 lakh daily through his various endeavors.
"We gave that up for a Rs 1.5 lakh government salary," she stated, highlighting the substantial financial compromise they accepted to serve in public office. She further alleged that before the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, she and her husband were promised the position of deputy chief minister along with control of seven government departments, plus a parliamentary seat for herself.
"What we received was local bodies and tourism, and even those were expected to be run by the chief minister," she added, suggesting that the actual responsibilities fell far short of what had been assured to them.
Corruption Allegations and Communication Breakdown
Navjot Kaur Sidhu leveled serious allegations against Rahul Gandhi's inner circle, describing it as "corrupt" and claiming it actively blocked "honest voices" from reaching the leadership. "If you don't have time for honesty, then I am sorry—you don't deserve that chair. I refuse to stay in a party where communication with my own leader is an impossible luxury," she declared with firm conviction.
She elaborated on her perception of Rahul Gandhi's leadership deficiencies, stating: "He has not come to a level where he thinks everyone is equal and you can talk to him and you can converse with him. He is still floating in the Gandhi mind and family, where he has no time to listen to people who are actually his well-wishers." This critique suggests a fundamental disconnect between the Congress leadership and grassroots party workers according to her assessment.
The timing of these remarks, coming just as she announces her independent candidacy from Amritsar East, adds significant political weight to her statements and could potentially reshape the electoral dynamics in the region. Her dual approach of criticizing the opposition leader while praising the prime minister represents a calculated political maneuver that will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
