Sidhus Eyeing BJP Return? Navjot Kaur's Expulsion Fuels Political Speculation
In a dramatic turn of events, former Amritsar East MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu has been expelled from the Congress party, sparking intense speculation about her husband, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, potentially seeking a return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The expulsion, announced by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Bhupesh Baghel, follows a series of public outbursts by Navjot Kaur against the Congress leadership.
Navjot Kaur's Sharp Criticism and Expulsion
Navjot Kaur's expulsion came after she referred to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi as "Pappu", a derogatory term often used by his detractors. This incident is the latest in a string of controversies involving the Sidhu couple. In December, Navjot Kaur had alleged that "one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore" becomes the Congress's chief minister face, adding that her husband would only return to active politics if offered the CM's post. She criticized the party's infighting, stating that "they are hell bent on defeating the Congress" and expressed doubts about Navjot Singh's promotion within the party.
Signals of Navjot Singh's Next Moves
While Navjot Singh has maintained a curious silence amid the controversy, political circles in Punjab interpret Navjot Kaur's actions as signals of his impending moves. The Sidhus have been openly critical of the current Punjab Congress leadership, particularly state party chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. In a social media tirade late last month, Navjot Kaur accused Warring of alleged corruption and internal sabotage, while praising the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This has fueled rumors that the couple may rejoin the BJP, the party where they began their political careers.
Historical Context of Sidhus' Political Journey
The Sidhus' political history is marked by frequent switches and conflicts. Ahead of the 2012 Punjab Assembly polls, Navjot Kaur joined the BJP and won the Amritsar East seat in her electoral debut, later serving as chief parliamentary secretary under the SAD-BJP government. Navjot Singh had already won three Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar as a BJP candidate. However, tensions arose as Navjot Kaur raised allegations against her own NDA government over "unfair distribution of funds" and corruption, particularly regarding the drug menace.
In 2014, she became a vocal critic within the Punjab BJP, advocating for snapping ties with the SAD. That year, Navjot Singh was dropped as the BJP's Amritsar Lok Sabha candidate to make way for Arun Jaitley. By 2016, the couple's relationship with the BJP soured further, with Navjot Kaur announcing Navjot Singh's resignation from the party and the Rajya Sabha. They ultimately joined the Congress just before the 2017 elections, with Navjot Singh appointed as a Cabinet minister under CM Amarinder Singh.
Recent Turmoil and Future Prospects
After clashing with Amarinder Singh, Navjot Singh resigned from the Cabinet in 2019 but was appointed Punjab Congress chief in 2021, leading to Amarinder's ouster as CM. However, Navjot Singh lost from the Amritsar East Assembly seat in the 2022 polls, and Navjot Kaur criticized the party's choice of Charanjit Singh Channi as the CM face. Her latest broadside against Rahul Gandhi suggests that Navjot Singh may be exploring options outside the Congress, where he has remained inactive. With the Sidhus' history of party loyalty shifts, a potential BJP return remains a topic of intense political debate in Punjab.
