Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has given clarification after the political controversy over her statement ‘Rs 500 crore for the Chief Minister’s chair’. He said that his comments have been distorted. Kaur wrote on social media platform ‘X’ on Sunday (07 December) evening, “I am shocked at how my direct statement has been distorted.

Clarifying his statement, he said, “I had only said that the Congress party never asked us for anything.” When I was asked whether Navjot can become the chief ministerial face from any other party or not, I said that we do not have any money to give anyone for the post of chief minister.

What did Navjot Kaur Sidhu say?

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former Congress Punjab unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu, had reportedly said on Saturday that “the one who gives a ‘suitcase’ of Rs 500 crore becomes the Chief Minister.” Navjot Kaur had said in a conversation with journalists on Saturday that if Congress declares her the chief ministerial face of the party in Punjab, then her husband will return to active politics.

When are the assembly elections to be held in Punjab?

Elections are to be held in Punjab in 2027. He also said that he does not have money to give to any party, but he can make Punjab a ‘golden state’. After meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on several issues including the alleged deteriorating law and order situation in the state, he told reporters, “We always talk about Punjab and Punjabiyat but we do not have Rs 500 crore to pay to sit on the Chief Minister’s chair.”

AAP cornered Congress on Navjot Kaur’s statement

On the question of anyone demanding money, he said that no one has asked but ‘the one who gives a ‘suitcase’ worth Rs 500 crore becomes the Chief Minister.’ Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reacted sharply to his statement, claiming that it had exposed the ‘disgusting truth’ of Congress’s functioning.

After the statement of Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, the stir in the politics of Punjab Congress has once again intensified. In his recent statement, he indicated that if Congress declares Navjot Singh Sidhu as the chief ministerial face, then he will return to active politics.

This statement is going to create a new stir in the politics of the state, because Congress is already struggling with internal differences. This statement came to light when Navjot Kaur Sidhu was meeting the Governor of Punjab to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

My husband does not have money to give to any political party – Navjot Kaur

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, pointing to the “internal strife” going on in the Punjab unit of Congress, claimed that already five leaders in the party are contenders for the post of Chief Minister and they will not allow Sidhu to move forward. According to PTI, she clearly said that her husband does not have money to give to any political party, but he has the potential to turn Punjab into a “golden state”. He also added that Sidhu has always been “deeply associated” with the Congress and Priyanka Gandhi, so if the party puts him forward, he can do better work for the state.

Law and order is continuously deteriorating in Punjab – Navjot Kaur

Talking to reporters after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Navjot Kaur Sidhu said that the law and order situation in Punjab is continuously deteriorating and the government does not seem serious on these issues. He said that the feeling of insecurity among the people is increasing, while the government is ignoring these matters. During the meeting, he also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Governor on various social and development related issues. According to him, Punjab today needs such a leadership which gives priority to the problems of the people and not just power politics.

When she was asked whether Sidhu can return to BJP if Bharatiya Janata Party gives him a bigger post, Navjot Kaur Sidhu clearly said that she cannot make any comment for him. He said that this decision will be entirely Sidhu’s and only he can say anything on it. However, his statement made it clear that the path of Sidhu’s political comeback completely depends on the decision of the Congress. There is a strong discussion in political circles that amidst the leadership crisis of Congress in Punjab, Sidhu can again emerge as a strong face, provided the party rises above internal disputes and takes a decision.

Punjab Congress Committee President Amarinder Singh Raja Wading on Monday (November 3) has tendered an unconditional apology for his alleged remarks against former Union Minister late Buta Singh. Wadding said that he did not intend to insult anyone, if anyone has been hurt by his words, he sincerely apologizes.

In fact, while campaigning in support of the Congress candidate in the Tarn Taran assembly by-election, Raja Vading had given a statement, which was related to the late Buta Singh. Opposition parties Aam Aadmi Party, BJP and some Dalit organizations expressed strong objection to his remarks. He said that Wadding’s statement is not only derogatory but also hurts the dignity of the late leader.

Commission took cognizance

After the growing controversy, the Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission took suo motu cognizance of the matter and sent a notice to Raja Wadding to appear before the Commission on 6 November. The Commission said that this matter is sensitive and it will be thoroughly investigated.

Amidst the action of the Commission and the growing opposition, Vadding immediately gave clarification and said that Buta Singh was like a father to him and he has always respected him.

He issued a statement on social media saying, “I want to make it clear again that I did not in any way intend to disrespect Late Sardar Buta Singh ji or any other person. If anything I said has hurt anyone, I apologize unconditionally.”

counterattack of opponents

Despite this statement, the ruckus in political circles is not showing any sign of stopping. Punjab Finance Minister and AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema, BJP leaders Tarun Chugh and Vijay Sampla have condemned Vading’s remarks. He says that Congress leaders should avoid such language and maintain respect for the deceased leaders.

Charanjit Singh Channi on Surgical Strike: Since the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in South Kashmir, every citizen of the country wants to take revenge on Pakistan soon. Other opposition parties including Congress have also given their full support to the Government of India. However, meanwhile, Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi once again questioned the 2016 surgical strike and later appeared to be overturned.

Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi once again gave a controversial statement and demanded evidence of the 2016 surgical strike from the Modi government. However, shortly after, he took a U-turn from his statement.

Change in statement within a day?
In fact, on Friday (May 2), former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi said in a statement, “We will not know if a bomb falls in our country? I have always asked for evidence of surgical strike.” However, now in a statement to the media, he is saying, “There is no talk of a surgical strike. Neither their evidence is sought nor I am asking now.”

#Watch On his statement on Surgical Strike, Former Punjab CM & Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi Says, “… there is noting about surgical (strike) today. either. https://t.co/dabrgkhpid pic.twitter.com/nxc8yt1pbj

– ANI (@ani) May 2, 2025

‘Congress is with Modi government’- Charanjit Channi
Talking to news agency ANI, Charanjit Singh Channi said, “I have said before and then I want to say that the Congress is standing with the government like a rock in every way. The government stops their air or water or take whatever action, the Congress is standing with them. Whatever action the government’s action will be, we will support it.”

He further said, “We want hard action against him (of terrorists) and those who have been killed there, their family needs justice. This is our demand and it should be fulfilled. Today it is expected from the government that it should be. There is no surgical strike. There is no talk of its evidence. Neither is asked for its evidence nor I am asking now. I am just saying that I do not try to move around. Religion was killed by asking, we are with justice.