Chandigarh, April 7
Navjot Kaur Sidhu has announced the formation of a new political outfit, the Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party, a move that comes just two months after her expulsion from the Indian National Congress over alleged anti-party activities.
Her husband, Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former minister, continues to remain associated with the Congress, although he has largely stayed politically inactive in recent times.
The announcement, which came late on Monday, assumes significance as it comes just months ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held early next year, signalling a potential new entrant in the state's political landscape.
Taking to X, Navjot Kaur Sidhu shared a photograph in which the name of the newly-formed party, Bharatiya Rashtravadi Party, could be seen prominently displayed in the background. She described the development as the "much-awaited announcement," indicating that groundwork for the new formation had been underway for some time.
"The much-awaited announcement; we have been working on a new alternative at a national level after carefully monitoring and reviewing the current standards of performance of political leaders. Just wanting to dedicate our lives for our country giving back to the people what they truly deserve and expect from us," she said.
Elaborating on her vision, she asserted that the new political platform aims to revive Punjab's past stature and values.
"Will lead Punjab to achieve it's long lost glory of being a Golden State where people just know about the power of love, sharing, justice, right of liberty, freedom and working with a purpose of selfless service and spiritual growth to attain their goal, values and vision without any outside interference. A government of the people, for the people and by the people of Punjab," she added.
Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who had won the Amritsar East Assembly seat on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket in 2012 left the party after citing dissatisfaction with the BJP-SAD combine and alleging lack of democracy and freedom to work.
She joined the Congress along with her husband ahead of the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections and had been vocal in her criticism of the party leadership over the past year. She launched a sharp attack against the Congress, alleging that "one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore" becomes the party's chief ministerial face.
She had also remarked that her husband would return to active politics only if he was offered the post of Chief Minister, further deepening the rift with the party leadership.
- IANS
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