Dy CM Shivakumar Tells Navjot Kaur Sidhu to Seek Mental Health Care Over Rs 500 Crore Remark
Controversial statement on alleged Rs 500 crore for Punjab CM post sparks political uproar; Congress leader clarifies her comment
Bengaluru, Dec 8: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar on Monday suggested that Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu seek admission to a mental health facility following her controversial statement about a “Rs 500 crore for CM post.”
Sidhu, wife of former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, had stirred a political storm on Saturday when she remarked that “one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the Chief Minister.” The comment drew sharp criticism from the BJP and AAP, who questioned Congress’ internal functioning.
Responding to the backlash, Shivakumar said, “Let her be admitted to a hospital, some good mental hospital.”
Navjot Kaur Sidhu had earlier clarified that she and her husband do not possess such funds but emphasized their goal to transform Punjab into a “golden state.” “We always speak for Punjab and Punjabiyat…but we do not have Rs 500 crore to sit in the chief minister’s chair,” she told reporters after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to discuss issues, including law and order concerns in the state.
She further clarified that no money was demanded from them and claimed that her statement had been misrepresented. “I am shocked to see the twist given to a straight comment. Our Congress party has never demanded anything from us,” Sidhu posted on X on Sunday evening.
