‘Rs 500-crore for CM's post’ remark: Congress suspends Navjot Kaur Sidhu from its primary membership

Amritsar: The Congress on Sunday suspended Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu with immediate effect after her explosive remarks alleging that “one who gives a suitcase of ₹500 crore becomes the Chief Minister” triggered a political storm and sharp reactions from the BJP and AAP.

Dr. Kaur, speaking to reporters on Saturday after meeting Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria over what she termed deteriorating law and order in the state, had said her husband, former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, would return to active politics if the party declared him its chief ministerial face for the 2027 Assembly elections.

Reiterating that they had no financial muscle to influence political decisions, she said the Sidhus could still “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 said. Asked whether anyone had demanded money from them, she replied that was not the case, but added, “The one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore he becomes the CM.”

As the comments went viral and drew widespread criticism, Dr. Kaur later took to X to clarify that her remarks had been misconstrued.

“I am shocked to see the twist given to a straight comment saying that our Congress party has never demanded anything from us. On being asked about Navjot becoming a CM face from any other party, I stated that we have no money to offer for a CM post,” she wrote on Sunday evening.

The Congress announced her suspension hours later, adding another layer to the escalating political row ahead of the 2027 polls.