Last week has been very interesting in Punjab Politics (read circus). Allegations, counter allegations, legal notices flying like kites on Lohri. Punjab’s politics has suffered many defections, rebellions, factional battles and personality wars for decades. But what Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu detonated on December 7, 2025 stands apart. Her claim that becoming Punjab Chief Minister in the Congress requires bringing ₹500 crore to the High Command was not an internal quarrel; it was a political implosion that exposed the Congress’ deepest structural cracks. The party responded exactly as the public expected: no facts, no clarifications, no transparency, just a knee-jerk suspension.
But the storm only grew darker.
Kaur followed up with another bombshell that the Tarn Taran by-election ticket was sold for ₹10 crore, with ₹5 crore each allegedly going to two senior leaders. And then came the most alarming claim of all: that four to five senior Congress leaders in Punjab have ties with drug smugglers, gangsters, and even terror-linked networks. Whether proven or not, these allegations strike directly at Punjab’s most painful realities of deeply rooted corruption, narco-politics, and compromised leadership.
The public reacted, but not with surprise. These whispers have floated in Punjab’s corridors for years. Now someone had said them on camera. Most important angle that many missed was that the allegations were basically against the High Command rather than the local leadership.
Opposition parties jumped instantly. AAP and BJP demanded forensic probes not out of love for accountability, but because nothing weakens Congress faster than an internal war. Remember Haryana? An AAP MP, quoted by ANI and widely shared on X, said the charges “must be investigated impartially,” warning that if even partly true, it could be a “major scandal.” BJP leaders framed it as proof that corruption runs from Punjab straight to the Gandhis. Haryana CM Nayab Saini mocked it as “typical Congress culture.” Influential X handles called it a “nuclear bomb,” accusing the Gandhis of running a political “dukaan,” where CM posts are auctioned like property.
Meanwhile social media is flooded with hilarious memes. Quite an entertainment though and hats off to the creative minds. To add, Bhagwant Mann delivered his viral punchline:
“Lagda ehna ne Punjab da tender laa ditta. Jisda sab ton wadda bid a, oh CM.”
It went viral because humour becomes lethal when it feels true.
The Factional War: A Party With Leaders But No Leadership
Punjab Congress today looks less like a political party and more like a traffic jam. Too many leaders want to be Chief Minister; none want to rebuild the organisation.
· Warring wants the job
· Bajwa wants it
· Randhawa wants it
· Channi wants another chance
· And a few more are trying tirelessly secretly
· The Sidhus say they’ll return only if Navjot Singh Sidhu is made CM face (nothing lesser). And they claim to do seva for Punjab
No vision for the State. No internal discipline. No visible or invisible unity. All want CM’s Chair!!! Question: Can a CMs chair be made Time Share? Everyone will be J
Internal reviews note that constant infighting has crushed worker morale. Booth-level cadres are confused and split in multiple groups in each village, in each ward in each vidhan Sabha segment. Political donors are distancing themselves as they do not know who or which one to bet on. And the widening “Delhi vs Punjab” split where state leaders accuse the High Command of ignoring ground realities has turned toxic.
The Sidhu faction openly challenges the leadership. Interestingly, Navjot Kaur claims “70% of Congress workers” stand with them. (is it?) Even if 30% rebel, Congress will collapse in 2027.
Delusional Congress’ Overconfidence Problem: Acting As If Victory Is Guaranteed
The Congress has convinced itself of three lazy assumptions:
· AAP’s popularity is falling
· Akali Dal and BJP are separate and therefore weak
· Congress will automatically return to power
But Punjab voters are not gullible. They see the chaos. They see the ego battles, the goof ups, self-goals, the political and financial greed now oozing so ostensibly. They see CM aspirants fighting each other instead of fighting the opposition and leaving the space of raising relevant issues of Punjab absolutely in the backdrop as if forgotten.
Ground reports tell a different story:
· Akali Dal is quietly recovering, especially in rural areas
· Although declining, AAP still has a solid base due to its freebies
· BJP is picking up urban votes and trying to gain inroads to SC votes and through Deras
· Congress is losing ground due to infighting but has a chance to revive if the leadership so wants.
Put this together:
A hung assembly in 2027 is not only possible: it is quite likely. (As of today. But things change very fast in politics)
A true political “khichri,” with no party crossing 59 seats.
Capt Amarinder Singh: Back in the Game, Playing All Sides
Capt Amarinder has re-entered the scene with calm, polished interviews. But his intentions are unclear.
· His push for a BJP–SAD alliance suggests dissatisfaction with the BJP’s treatment of him.
· His strong praise and advocacy for Sukhbir Badal are efforts of prodding BJP towards Akali Dal.
· His silence on Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, a sharp contrast to 2021, hints at a possible Congress return if a vacuum appears.
He is positioning himself not as a contestant, but as a kingmaker in a fragmented 2027 landscape.
If Punjab delivers a fractured verdict, Amarinder may once again become the pivot.
Is the Firefighting Enough?
In the middle of this meltdown, Bhupesh Baghel had to rush to Delhi on 11 December 2025 to control the damage. The AICC in-charge for Punjab held emergency meetings, took detailed briefings from Raja Warring, and updated the High Command. These were not routine reviews; these were crisis-management sessions a political fire brigade arriving at midnight. Is Bhupesh competent to dowse this fire Or a higher level intervention is required to set things right?
And the truth is: no one in the party seems to know how to put out the fire.
Is There Room for a Fourth Front? Can Sidhu Lead It?
Public fatigue with all major parties is real. People are disillusioned with old traditional parties and the new experiment too. AAP is stumbling, Congress is imploding, SAD is slowly rebuilding, and BJP remains limited due to failure to correct its narrative for Punjab. This opens the door for a new fourth front.
But can Navjot Singh Sidhu lead it?
My view: No.
Does he have potential to Damage?
My view: Yes
Sidhu has charisma, energy, and emotional appeal but not the organisational machinery, discipline, or patience required to build a serious political force. Punjab elections are won at booths, not rallies. Moreover, his non-performance as a Minister in Capt Amarinder governments is a baggage that he carries. Surprisingly, he may be a sportsman but he is not a team player.
A Sidhu-led front will draw attention but may not convert it into victories. More likely, it will split Congress votes in 15–30 seats handing power to others.
And Finally: The Real Question — Who Will Clean This Mess?
The crisis is so deep that everyone sees; it except those who must fix it.
· The High Command is silent and painfully slow
· The state unit is divided
· CM aspirants are busy with personal battles
· Voters are losing patience
· Workers are demoralised and confused
· Rivals smell blood
In the end, the voter is King.
Punjab is known to vote and like to experiment. They decided to choose an absolutely new party in 2022. Question: With deepening law and order situation, financial & economic crises, agrarian distress, frustration in youth, social unease what will Punjab they do this time? Experiment something new yet again or go with the old routine. Only time will tell. And again remember: Voter is the King
But one thing for sure: The Sidhu’s are back in the political gossip space!!
Views are personal and based on research from TV news, Print news, X and social media