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Navjot Kaur Sidhu attacked Rahul Gandhi on X, calling him disconnected from ground realities after quitting Congress, prompting reactions from party leaders and BJP figures amid political fallout in Punjab.
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu with his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu. (PTI Photo/Shiva Sharma)
Chandigarh,UPDATED: Feb 7, 2026 01:51 IST
Former Punjab MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Friday launched a sharp attack on Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being disconnected from ground realities and unresponsive to party workers.
In a series of posts on X, Sidhu said Gandhi had no time to listen to issues raised from the grassroots, adding that this lack of engagement had earned him the nickname “Pappu.” She said repeated attempts to reach out to the Congress leadership had gone unanswered.
Sidhu also referred to her past association with the BJP, saying the party had recognised her talent by giving her a ticket in 2012 and appointing her Chief Parliamentary Secretary. She, however, clarified that she was not currently in touch with the BJP.
Sidhu quit the Congress earlier this month after being suspended by the party following her controversial remarks suggesting that a person with a suitcase of Rs 500 crore could become chief minister in Punjab. She had also openly criticised Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, calling him incompetent.
Continuing her attack, Sidhu said Rahul Gandhi had little understanding of ground-level politics and responded to urgent calls only after several months. “If Rahul Gandhi doesn’t have time for party workers, then they also don’t have time for him,” she said in one of her posts.
She also challenged Gandhi to ask Punjab Congress leaders to speak openly against the current government in the state.
Earlier in the day, Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel said Sidhu was first suspended from the party and later removed, following her remarks. Sidhu’s attack on Rahul Gandhi came shortly after Baghel’s statement.
Reacting to Sidhu’s comments, Punjab Congress MLA Pargat Singh defended Gandhi, saying he was fighting against authoritarianism. “Rahul Gandhi is our leader, and people across the country are looking up to him. Such statements should be avoided,” Singh said.
Former BJP minister Manoranjan Kalia took a swipe at Sidhu, saying her remarks about Rahul Gandhi reflected views held by many across the country. He also claimed she was speaking on behalf of her husband, Navjot Singh Sidhu, and accused the family of having damaged the Congress in the past.
- Ends
Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Feb 7, 2026
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