Navjot Kaur Sidhu: ‘good move if aimed at curbing drug influx, not if Centre wants own rule’

Wife of PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, surprised many Monday by backing Centre’s decision to extend the BSF’s jurisdiction in the state.

3 min readAmritsarUpdated: Oct 19, 2021 07:06 AM IST

Decision 2019: Punjab Congress panel meets today to take call on remaining seven seats, Navjot Kaur

Her statement is in sharp contrast to official line of the Congress, which has termed Centre’s decision as an attack on federal structure. (File)

Former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who is the wife of PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, surprised many Monday by backing Centre’s decision to extend the BSF’s jurisdiction in the state. Her statement is in sharp contrast to official line of the Congress, which has termed Centre’s decision as an attack on federal structure.

Asked if Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi had written to Center for extending area of BSF from 15 to 50 km in the state, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was touring Amritsar East constituency, said: “I don’t know if CM Channi wrote the letter or not. There is drug problem in Punjab and local police couldn’t control it. It is the reason that the drug problem persists. So idea may come to mind of a person that drug problem can be curbed in collaboration with BSF. If you go to the border belt, people there name the politicians who smuggle drugs from Pakistan. Even there is gold smuggling. But it couldn’t be control…It is always better that Centre and state work together. But drug problem should end in Punjab.”

Earlier, Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla had said that Punjab Police failed in stopping drug smuggling and BSF would help in curbing problem. Navjot Kaur, meanwhile, said, “This matter should be discussed between state and Centre. If the purpose behind this is just to impose central rule in the state, then it’s wrong. However, if Centre’s aim is to stop drug trafficking and drug-related issues, then it is a good step. But it should be a mutual decision between Center and state.”

Read | ‘All issues will be resolved’: Channi plays down differences with Sidhu

‘No infighting, just debate in party’

Asked about infighting in party over 13-point agenda mentioned in Navjot Singh Sidhu’s letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, she said, “It is not infighting, but debate. The letter to Sonia Gandhi is just a tool to convey message to people that we have not forgotten our promises to them and these are in knowledge of party. There is no infighting in the party now. What you call infighting is a debate and debate is not a bad thing. All the ministers are working on ground level…”
She added, “CM Channi even went to those who had to resign as ministers. He assured them that they will be adjusted somewhere.”

On what was preventing Punjab government from lowering the price of power in the state, Navjot Kaur Sidhu said, “Channi sahib is honest and decent leader who moves in public. There was meeting last night on this issue how PPA can be cancelled. Advocate General, Punjab, and his team is already working on this.”

She alleged, “There is team (of bureaucrats and policemen) which works for SAD. So there are discussions and efforts to sideline this team and make space for new team. We should do things so that people should know that we have no alliance (with Akalis).”

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“I am very sure that agenda mentioned in Navjot Sidhu’s letter will be achieved. All ministers want it. Even Rahul Gandhi has clearly said this agenda should be achieved…,” said Navjot Kaur.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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