New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has once again stirred political waters in Punjab with an unanticipated meeting with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the national capital. The development comes at a politically sensitive time, just days after Sidhu’s wife, Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, formally declared her intent to contest from Amritsar in the upcoming elections.
The former cricketer-turned-politician posted a photograph with Priyanka Gandhi on social media, accompanied by a heartfelt message calling her his “beacon” and “guardian angel.” He also extended gratitude to her and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating their support had helped him navigate difficult personal and political phases.
While the Congress leadership has yet to comment on the meeting, it has ignited fresh discussion around Sidhu’s future role within the party — and whether he is poised to return to frontline politics ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Political Temperature Rises in Punjab
The timing of the meeting has not gone unnoticed. Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu has already begun holding public meetings in Amritsar, signalling her campaign is underway well before the official poll calendar. Her entry has added another layer of complexity to Punjab Congress’s already fragmented internal structure.
The party continues to be divided among various camps — notably between state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa, and other regional heavyweights. Sidhu’s renewed visibility has the potential to disrupt existing equations within the state unit.
CM Bhagwant Mann’s Sharp Remarks
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to Sidhu’s actions with characteristic sarcasm, commenting on his frequent political U-turns.
“How many times will he enter politics? One day he’s talking about comedy shows, another day it’s Punjab’s roadmap. Now he’s meeting Priyanka Gandhi without informing anyone. I wish him all the best — he’ll need it,” Mann said, poking fun at Sidhu’s unpredictable political behaviour.
Sidhu has often made headlines for his dramatic exits and re-entries into political life. His last significant appearance was ahead of the 2022 Assembly polls, where he contested but lost from Amritsar East. After the defeat, he retreated from active politics, though his name appeared on the Congress’s list of campaigners for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections — a role he notably chose not to fulfil.
Signals from Delhi?
Sidhu’s meeting with Priyanka Gandhi is now being read as more than just a courtesy visit. Political observers believe the Congress high command could be testing the waters for reintroducing him into a larger organisational or electoral role in Punjab, particularly as the party struggles to regain lost ground.
While there is no official word yet, some party insiders suggest that both Sidhu and his wife could be assigned key responsibilities, possibly as part of a broader revamp of the Punjab unit in the lead-up to 2027
