"500 Crore Suitcase": Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s Explosive Charge Against Congress

Former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu ignited a political storm on December 7, 2025, claiming that aspiring leaders must pay "a suitcase full of Rs 500 crore" to become the Chief Minister of Punjab. Speaking after a meeting with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, she declared that her husband, Navjot Singh Sidhu, would return to active politics only if the Congress officially designates him as the Chief Ministerial face for the 2027 assembly elections. The explosive allegation comes amidst intense factional infighting within the Punjab Congress, with multiple leaders jockeying for control.

The Context (How We Got Here)

Since the Congress’s crushing defeat in the 2022 assembly elections—where it fell from 72 to 18 seats—the party has struggled with a leadership vacuum. Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as state president after the loss, has largely retreated to cricket commentary and YouTube. However, with the 2027 polls approaching, internal competition has heated up. Leaders like current state chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and former CM Charanjit Singh Channi are actively consolidating factions, leaving Sidhu isolated. Navjot Kaur’s outburst appears to be a strategic move to disrupt this consolidation and force the high command’s hand.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

Navjot Kaur Sidhu (Former MLA): The messenger. Her "500 crore" claim serves a dual purpose: it positions the Sidhus as anti-corruption crusaders while simultaneously issuing an ultimatum to the party leadership.
Charanjit Singh Channi (Former CM): The rival. As the party's most prominent Dalit Sikh face, his recent mobilization efforts threaten to sideline Sidhu permanently.
Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa (Former Deputy CM): The critic. He immediately counter-attacked, questioning why the Sidhus remained silent on corruption when they held power, highlighting the credibility gap in their allegations.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

While headlines focus on the sensational "500 crore" figure, the deeper story is the "Factional Suicide" of the Punjab Congress. Instead of uniting against the ruling AAP, the party’s top leaders are engaged in a public bidding war for a hypothetical CM chair. Navjot Kaur’s statement inadvertently confirms the BJP’s long-standing accusation that the Congress "auctions" its top posts. By making this allegation now, the Sidhus may have burned the very bridge they intended to cross, potentially rendering themselves politically radioactive to a high command that prizes loyalty over leverage.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

This allegation hands the ruling AAP and opposition BJP powerful ammunition for the 2027 campaign. It paints the Congress not just as divided, but as structurally corrupt. For the Congress High Command in Delhi, it creates a trilemma: ignoring Sidhu risks losing a star campaigner, but accepting his demand would trigger a revolt by the Channi and Warring factions. The likely outcome is a further fracturing of the party, with Sidhu possibly exiting if his ultimatum is rejected.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If the cost of leadership in a party out of power is allegedly Rs 500 crore, what is the cost of its silence on the issue?

FAQs

What did Navjot Kaur Sidhu say about the Punjab CM post? Navjot Kaur Sidhu alleged that anyone wanting to become the Chief Minister of Punjab in the Congress party must pay "a suitcase full of Rs 500 crore" to the high command. She stated her family does not have such money.

Why is Navjot Singh Sidhu demanding to be the CM face? According to his wife, Sidhu believes he is the only honest leader capable of saving Punjab. He has set a condition that he will only return to active politics if the Congress officially declares him as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2027 elections.

Who are the other contenders for the Congress CM face? The main contenders include former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, current state president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa. The internal competition between these factions is intense.

How has the Congress party responded? Senior leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticized the Sidhus, questioning why they didn't expose this alleged corruption when they held power. The central leadership has not officially commented, but the statement has deepened existing divides.

Sources

News Coverage

Research & Analysis

Punjab

Brajesh Mishra Associate Editor

Brajesh Mishra is an Associate Editor at BIGSTORY NETWORK, specializing in daily news from India with a keen focus on AI, technology, and the automobile sector. He brings sharp editorial judgment and a passion for delivering accurate, engaging, and timely stories to a diverse audience.