Former Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has stirred fresh political debate after launching a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being disconnected from the realities of Punjab politics and allowing the party’s base in the state to weaken.
Speaking at a public event in Coimbatore, Sidhu said that despite repeated attempts over the past eight months to seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi, she was not given time to present her concerns about the Punjab Congress. She alleged that individuals close to the Congress leader were involved in corruption and even in selling election tickets, a claim that could intensify internal tensions within the party.
Sidhu stated that Rahul Gandhi speaks well and makes sensible arguments in public, but his actions do not reflect his words. According to her, if a leader is unaware of what is happening beneath him, he does not deserve to hold that position. She held him responsible for the party’s declining condition in Punjab and claimed that inaction at the top was “killing Congress in Punjab.”
The former leader also alleged that promises made to her regarding significant roles were not fulfilled. She said she had been assured key responsibilities, including a Deputy Chief Minister post with multiple departments and a Member of Parliament position. Instead, she claimed she was given local bodies and tourism portfolios that were expected to function under the direction of the Chief Minister.
In a striking shift from the Congress party’s usual stance, Sidhu praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying there were no personal corruption allegations against him. She described him as a spiritual person and challenged critics to point out any direct financial wrongdoing linked to him. Her remarks have drawn attention, particularly because they come from a former Congress leader at a time when political alignments remain sensitive.
Sidhu emphasized that leadership demands close contact with grassroots workers and ground realities. She suggested that Rahul Gandhi had not risen through the ranks in a way that would give him a deep understanding of state-level struggles. According to her, politics cannot be managed from a distance or from what she described as a “dream world.” Leaders, she said, must stay connected to what is happening at ground zero to ensure their party’s survival.
She maintained that she has always worked honestly for Punjab and never compromised her principles, even during financial hardships. Honest voices within the party, she claimed, are not being heard, while those accused of corruption continue to remain influential.
The Congress party has not yet responded officially to her statements. Political observers believe her comments could further complicate the party’s efforts to rebuild its base in Punjab, a state where internal disputes have already weakened its position. As the controversy unfolds, her remarks are likely to fuel deeper conversations about accountability, leadership, and the future of Congress in Punjab politics.