A fresh political controversy has erupted in Punjab after Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu claimed that becoming the state’s chief minister allegedly requires a “₹500-crore suitcase”. Her remark, made after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, has triggered sharp reactions across political parties and unrest within the Congress itself.
Kaur suggested that her husband and former Punjab Congress chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu, would consider returning to active politics only if the party projected him as its chief ministerial face for the 2027 Assembly elections. However, she expressed doubt over such a possibility, alleging intense infighting in the Punjab Congress and claiming that several senior leaders were already lobbying for the top post with enormous financial power behind them.
“We always speak for Punjab and Punjabiyat… but we do not have ₹500 crore to sit in the chief minister’s chair,” she said, insisting that the Sidhus “cannot compete with those who can pay their way to power.” She clarified that no one asked them for money directly but alleged that “one who gives a suitcase of ₹500 crore becomes the CM.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seized on the claim, calling it an “explosive revelation” that exposed the inner workings of Congress leadership decisions. AAP leaders demanded names of those who allegedly pay and those who receive such amounts.
The BJP launched an even stronger offensive, accusing the Congress of treating CM appointments like auctions. Party leaders Sudhanshu Trivedi and Tarun Chugh said the remarks proved that corruption had deeply penetrated the Congress system.
Within the Congress, discomfort was visible. Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa questioned the Sidhus’ intentions and asked whether Navjot Singh Sidhu should reveal if any money was exchanged when he was appointed state party chief.
As reactions intensify, the Congress high command has remained silent so far, even as Punjab politics braces for further turbulence ahead of the 2027 elections.
