'Won't contest 2024 Lok Sabha elections', announces Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu
Bathinda, December 16: In a significant announcement, Punjab Congress leader and former state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday announced his decision not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, he reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty and commitment to the Congress party, highlighting his continued alignment with the party's ideologies and principles.
Addressing mediapersons in Bathinda, Navjot Singh Sidhu launched a scathing attack on the Bhagwant Mann -led Punjab Government, accusing it of various financial discrepancies. The Congress leader alleged that the Punjab Government had diverted nearly Rs 50,000 crore from the state's revenue generated through liquor sales, purportedly using loans from the Central Government to cover the shortfall.
Navjot Singh Sidhu also talked about the Central Government's withholding of Rs 8,000 crore allocated to the state, citing the Centre's reluctance to release funds earmarked for specific initiatives. He alleged that funds meant for critical purposes were being misappropriated.
He also took on the government for the lack of progress in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case. He also criticised CM Mann's approach of symbolic gestures, such as organising yoga classes or riding bicycles, as inadequate responses to address the state's substantive challenges.
Sidhu lambasted the government for allegedly failing to fulfill key promises made to the public. He highlighted unmet commitments, including the promise to provide Rs 1,000 monthly allowance to women, while criticising the prevalent VIP culture among leaders who prioritise elaborate security arrangements.
Navjot Singh Sidhu also brought attention to various "governance failures", encompassing unresolved mining cases, challenges with cable mafia, and the persistent issue of corruption. He called for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's accountability, questioning the shielding of allegedly corrupt ministers and the absence of action against Fauja Singh Sarai.
- With inputs from our correspondent
