Chandigarh, Dec 8 (IAAF) — Hours after Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring announced that Navjot Kaur Sidhu was suspended from the party’s primary membership, Sidhu publicly denounced her. She called Warring “insensitive, irresponsible, morally dishonest and corrupt.”
On X she added: “I refuse to stand with an insensitive and irresponsible, morally dishonest and corrupt president. I stand up for all my brothers and sisters who have been hurt by his incompetence and irresponsible behaviour. I refuse to accept him as President. I wonder why the Chief Minister is shielding him.”
Sidhu, the wife of Congress leader Navjot Singh, had been suspended because of the “Rs 500 crore CM” remark. She claimed that “it costs Rs 500 crore to become Punjab CM.” The comment, which said her husband would return to active politics only if Congress nominated him as the CM face, sparked a sharp political backlash.
After meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday, Sidhu told reporters that her group “speak only for Punjab” but that the money she alleges influences top appointments was lacking. She said, “We do not have Rs 500 crore to give to sit in the Chief Minister’s chair,” adding that no one had demanded money from her, but “the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CM.”
Congress leader Sukhjinder Randhawa reacted to Sidhu’s statement, noting that when she joined Congress from the BJP she was later promoted to minister. Randhawa said, “First, she mentioned how much money was given to become the number two minister, next in line after the Chief Minister. After that, she was made PCC President, and again, how much money was given.”
The issue was joined by state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who launched a scathing attack on both the Congress and the BJP leadership. He challenged the high command of each party to respond within 24 hours, accusing them of silence and complicity in corruption.
Cheema pointed out that the current Punjab BJP president, who once served as Punjab Congress president, was in power while Chief Ministers Amarinder Singh (allegedly paid Rs 500 crore to become CM, according to Sidhu) and Charanjit Singh Channi (allegedly paid Rs 350 crore, as claimed by Sunil Jakhar) held office. He raised the question of why Jakhar remained silent during his time in Congress—and why he only spoke up after joining the BJP.
He also referenced the case of Channi’s relative, from whom almost Rs 10 crore was recovered in a sub‑judice matter.
vg/dan
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