Sidhu will return to active politics if Cong declares him CM face: Navjot Kaur

Navjot Kaur Sidhu said her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu will return to active politics only if Congress declares him its Punjab CM face. She criticised infighting in the state unit, alleged money influences leadership choices, and insisted Sidhu could transform Punjab if empowered

Chandigarh: Navjot Singh Sidhu will return to active politics if the Congress declares him as the party’s chief ministerial face in Punjab, his wife and party leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has said.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu further said they do not have money to give to any party but can transform Punjab into a “golden state”.

---

“We always speak for Punjab and Punjabiyat…but do not have Rs 500 crore which we can give to sit in chief minister’s chair,” she told reporters on Saturday after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on issues, including alleged deteriorating law and order in the state.

When asked if anybody demanded money from them, she said nobody has demanded but the “one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore he becomes the CM”.

“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 said.

She also pointed towards “infighting” within the Punjab Congress unit, claiming that already there are five leaders aspiring for the chief minister’s position, and they won’t let Sidhu come forward.

Replying to a question, she said her husband was “strongly attached” with the Congress and 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 said.

Asked if the BJP gives him this responsibility then whether the cricketer-turned-politician will rejoin the BJP, she said, “I cannot comment on his behalf.” On whether Sidhu will return to active politics if the Congress announces him as chief ministerial face, she said he will return. “But otherwise, he is earning good money and he is happy,” she added.

Former Punjab Congress chief Sidhu has not been participating in the party’s events and activities for the past many months. He did not campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls also.

Sidhu had made a comeback to cricket commentary in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.

In April, Sidhu had launched his new YouTube channel ‘Navjot Sidhu Official’ for sharing his life experiences, talking about cricket, commentary, motivational talks, lifestyle.

At that time, when Sidhu was asked about returning to active politics, he had then said time will tell, stating that he did politics for people’s welfare and it was never a business for him.

Assembly polls are due in Punjab in 2027.