Congress suspends Navjot Kaur Sidhu over ‘Rs 500-crore suitcase’ remark, despite her clarification

Her subsequent attempt to clarify the comment on social media failed to pacify the party leadership.

Navjot Kaur triggered a major political storm earlier this week when she told reporters that “the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the Chief Minister,” a statement that immediately embarrassed the Congress and handed opposition parties fresh ammunition.

Both the BJP and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seized on the remark, calling it an admission of corruption within the Congress.

Attempting damage control, she posted on X on day, saying her words were being twisted.

“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. Listen carefully,” she wrote.

But the clarification did little to quell the internal outrage.

Her initial comments were made on December 6, shortly after meeting Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. Asked why her husband had stepped back from active politics, she responded that Navjot Singh Sidhu would only return if the Congress officially named him its chief ministerial candidate for 2027.

She then added that they did not have the Rs 500 crore allegedly required to “buy” the position, a remark interpreted by rivals as a suggestion of deep-rooted moneybag politics within the party.

Senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Randhawa strongly criticised the Sidhus, calling their statements “anti-party” and unacceptable.

AAP escalated the attack, questioning whether such a “Rs 500-crore suitcase” was meant for the Congress high command or Rahul Gandhi.

BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Tarun Chugh said the remark exposed “institutionalised corruption” inside the party.

With criticism mounting across the political spectrum, the Congress leadership opted to suspend Navjot Kaur Sidhu, signaling its intent to contain the controversy ahead of the 2027 political battle in Punjab.