Navjot Sidhu will return to active politics if he is declared CM face, says his wife

Navjot Singh Sidhu will return to active politics if the Congress declares him as the party's chief ministerial face in Punjab, his wife and party leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has said.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu said they do not have money to give to any party but can 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 the chief minister's chair," she told reporters on Saturday after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on issues, including alleged deteriorating law and order in the state.

When asked if anybody demanded money from them, she said nobody has demanded it but the "one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore he becomes the CM".

"If any party gives him that power so that he can improve Punjab. We do not have money to give it to any party but we will give results and will turn Punjab into a golden state," she said.

She also pointed towards "infighting" within the Punjab Congress unit, claiming that already there are five leaders aspiring for the chief minister's position, and they won't let Sidhu come forward.

Replying to a question, she said her husband is "strongly attached" to the Congress and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

"But with so much infighting, I do not feel they will let Navjot Singh Sidhu be promoted as there are already five CM faces and they are hell-bent on defeating the Congress. If they (high command) understand this then it is a different matter," she said.

Asked if the BJP gives him this responsibility then whether the cricketer-turned-politician will rejoin the BJP, she said, "I cannot comment on his behalf."

On whether Sidhu will return to active politics if the Congress announces him as chief ministerial face, she said he will return. "But otherwise, he is earning good money and is happy," she added.

Former Punjab Congress chief Sidhu has not been participating in the party's events and activities for the past many months. He also did not campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Sidhu had made a comeback to cricket commentary in the Indian Premier League 2024 season.

In April, Sidhu had launched his YouTube channel, Navjot Sidhu Official, for sharing his life experiences, talking about cricket, commentary, motivational talks, and lifestyle.

At that time, when Sidhu was asked about returning to active politics, he had then said that time would tell, adding that he joined politics for people's welfare and it was never a business for him.

The Assembly polls are due in Punjab in 2027.