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Bhagwant Mann said that when Sidhu was a minister in the Congress government in Punjab, he could have done something for the welfare of people.
Bhagwant Mann said that Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Sidhu share a “common problem”. (File)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday took a swipe at Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying both these leaders demand top positions without demonstrating performance on the ground.
While speaking to mediapersons in Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Sidhu share a “common problem” of seeking high offices before proving their capabilities.
“Rahul Gandhi says ‘make me Prime Minister, I will do something for the people’. But people ask him, first do something, then we will make you the Prime Minister. It is the same with Navjot Sidhu. He says ‘make me the CM, I will do something for Punjab’. People ask him to do something for Punjab, then they will make him the chief minister,” the AAP leader said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Mann said that when Sidhu was a minister in the Congress government in Punjab, he could have done something for the welfare of people if he had undertaken the responsibility of his department. He said that as urban development minister, Sidhu could have addressed issues such as uncleanliness, sewerage, street lighting and road conditions in cities.
Later, Sidhu was given charge of the power department, which Mann described as a crucial portfolio. “We have made electricity free. Sidhu could have taken responsibility and announced 600 units of free power,” the Chief Minister said.
Mann argued that even if the then Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had rejected such a proposal, Sidhu could have projected himself as someone who wanted to provide free power. “If Amarinder accepted it, Sidhu would have been a hero. If he rejected it, Sidhu would still have been a hero. It was a win-win situation,” he said.
Referring to Amarinder Singh’s earlier claims, Mann alleged that Sidhu did not sign files of his department for nearly six months. “Sidhu did not take responsibility of his ministry or the portfolio he was given,” he said.
In 2019, Sidhu resigned from the Amarinder Singh Cabinet after being divested of the local government, tourism and cultural affairs departments and was allocated the power and new and renewable energy portfolio. However, Sidhu did not take charge of the power department.
Mann’s remarks came in the backdrop of fresh statements by Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who recently criticised the Congress leadership in Punjab. The wife of the cricketer-turned-politician dropped a bombshell allegation, saying that “a suitcase full of Rs 500 crore” has to be given to become the chief minister in Punjab.
She had said that her husband would return to active politics if the Congress declares him as the party’s chief ministerial face in Punjab. She had further said they do not have money to give to any party but can transform Punjab into a “golden state”. She was later suspended by the Punjab Congress.
Asked to comment on the Sidhu couple’s claim that they are honest, Mann said he was nobody to give the certificate of honesty. However, Mann said he has not received any document which indicates their corruption. “Otherwise, I would have made it public by now,” he said.
He further said that the disclosure of Rs 500 crore by Navjot Kaur had made everyone happy except Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa and Randhawa.
“Channi was happy that he paid Rs 350 crore to become the CM, and he was able to save Rs 150 crore. The figure quoted by Navjot Kaur has made Rahul happy as he thinks the price tag has gone up. Warring, Randhawa and Bajwa are now unhappy as they feel the price has gone up and they have to find a way to try a shot,” he added.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former cricketer, has not been active in Congress for several months and did not campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He made a comeback to cricket commentary in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season and launched his YouTube channel in April to share insights on cricket, lifestyle and other topics.
At that time, when Sidhu was asked about returning to active politics, he had then said time will tell, stating that he did politics for people’s welfare and it was never a business for him.
(With inputs from agencies)
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December 13, 2025, 16:09 IST
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