GG News Bureau
COIMBATORE 17th February – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political corridors of Punjab and Delhi, former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu has officially severed ties with the Indian National Congress. Her departure was not a quiet affair; instead, she launched a blistering critique of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of being “disconnected from ground realities.”
Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Sidhu—wife of former cricketer and ex-Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu—did not mince words. She suggested that the Gandhi scion is living in a “dream world,” failing to grasp the granular realities of state politics.
A Leadership Under Fire
The crux of Sidhu’s frustration appears to be a perceived accessibility gap at the highest levels of the party. She revealed a grueling eight-month pursuit to secure an appointment with Rahul Gandhi to discuss “injustice” within the Punjab unit.
“I just asked you for a sitting to tell you that your party is being destroyed in Punjab,” she stated. “If you are not aware of what’s happening beneath you, then I am sorry, you don’t deserve that chair.”
Her critique took an unexpected turn when she drew a comparison to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While acknowledging Gandhi’s ability to “talk sense,” she contrasted his leadership style with the Prime Minister’s personal integrity, challenging critics to find a “single penny” or “file” against Modi personally.
Allegations of ‘Sold’ Tickets and Corruption
The internal rift in the Punjab Congress has reached a boiling point. Sidhu alleged that party tickets for the upcoming state polls have already been “sold,” and accused the state leadership of demanding staggering sums—as much as ₹500 crore—for the Chief Minister’s post should the party win.
Historically, the Congress party has struggled with factionalism in Punjab, most notably during the 2022 elections which saw the unceremonious exit of Captain Amarinder Singh. Sidhu’s departure echoes a recurring constitutional and structural challenge within national parties: the friction between centralized high-command control and empowered regional leadership. Under Article 19 of the Constitution, while political dissent is a protected right, the “anti-defection” spirit often creates a vacuum where veteran leaders feel sidelined by unelected advisors surrounding the party core.
The Fallout and the Road Ahead
The Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, recently confirmed Sidhu’s expulsion, though she maintains she had already quit. This exit marks a significant shift for the 62-year-old leader, who moved from the BJP to Congress in 2016.
With Punjab set for polls next year, Sidhu’s prediction is grim: she believes the Congress is headed for a certain defeat. As the party grapples with these high-profile exits, the question remains whether the “high command” can bridge the gap between its Delhi headquarters and the dusty trails of Ground Zero.
