Suspended Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu declared on Saturday that she has officially quit the party, citing a lack of voice for promising leaders within its ranks. In a scathing attack, she targeted Congress' Punjab unit chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, accusing him of severely damaging the organization and labeling him "the most horrific, incapable, corrupt president ever."
Who is Navjot Kaur Sidhu?
Navjot Kaur Sidhu is the wife of former Punjab Congress chief and ex-cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu. A practicing gynaecologist by profession, she describes herself as such on social media platform X. Her political journey includes serving as an MLA from Amritsar East in 2012, a position she secured on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket before later joining the Congress. During her tenure, she held the role of chief parliamentary secretary, contributing to legislative affairs in Punjab.
Why Did Navjot Kaur Sidhu Quit the Congress?
The former MLA leveled serious allegations against Warring, claiming he has compromised the party's integrity through an understanding with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab. In a detailed post on X, she accused him of selling the party for petty gains and co-partnering with the chief minister to undermine Congress. Kaur asserted that Warring had a suspension letter prepared for her while allegedly rewarding nearly 12 senior Congress leaders who collaborated with Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia to harm her politically.
She further alleged that Warring planted individuals on her seat to ensure her electoral defeat, questioning his inaction against senior leaders like Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Charanjit Singh Channi, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, and Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, who have openly challenged his authority. Kaur emphasized that she possesses substantial evidence to damage Warring but is disinterested, having already resigned from a party where, in her view, no promising leader is heard.
Recent Controversies and Political Statements
Kaur's resignation follows her suspension from the Congress last month, which stemmed from a political row ignited by her remark about "₹500 crore for the chief minister's chair." Speaking to reporters on December 6, she clarified that while no one demanded money from her, she believes that "one who gives a suitcase of ₹500 crore becomes the chief minister." She also mentioned that her husband, Navjot Singh Sidhu, would return to active politics if declared the party's chief ministerial face in Punjab, though they lack the funds for such transactions but aim to transform Punjab into a "golden state."
Despite the suspension, Kaur initially affirmed her and her husband's loyalty to the Congress. However, in a recent post on X, she stated that no political party, including BJP or AAP, has approached her, and she now intends to serve the people of Punjab through an NGO, focusing on spiritual evolution by understanding Guru Granth Sahib Ji's teachings and engaging with evolved saints.
Allegations Against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
Expanding her criticism beyond the Congress, Kaur slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over corruption issues. She contrasted his governance with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat chief minister, where she claimed accountability and utilization certificates ensured transparency. Kaur alleged that corruption is rampant in every department under Mann's rule, exacerbated by a small team and bought media channels glorifying him for personal interests, rather than using funds for education, health, and agriculture.
Her political career, marked by shifts from BJP to Congress, now sees her exiting the party amid turbulent internal dynamics. As Punjab's political landscape evolves, Kaur's resignation underscores ongoing factionalism and challenges within the Congress, with her allegations casting a shadow over Warring's leadership and the party's future prospects in the state.
