What’s cooking? After lunch with Captain, Sidhu absent from govt function

Sidhu, who had hit the headlines during opening of Kartarpur corridor and was the harbinger of the news from Pakistan, was not a part of the Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary celebration function on Monday.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress government, Punjab government, Punjab news, indian express

Navjot Singh Sidhu. (File Photo)

Few days after Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s luncheon meeting with his bete noire and former Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu, his absence from government’s function to mark 551st birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev at Dera Baba Nanak on Monday has sparked off speculation that the gulf between the duo has still not been bridged.

On the other hand, presence of activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who is being seen as a strong baiter of NDA government at the Centre, at the government function has also created a furore in the Congress party.

While many in the Congress are seeing Bhushan’s presence at the government’s function as the start of “warm relationship” between him and the party, party sources said he himself wanted to be a part of Guru Nanak Dev’s 551st birth celebrations.

Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who was the organiser of the function as it was in his constituency, said that Bhushan had himself expressed his desire to be a part of the celebrations, “He had called up to ask if he could be a part of the celebrations as he has a special place for Guru Nanak Dev in his heart. We readily agreed. How could anyone say no?” asked Randhawa.

Not only Bhushan’s presence but his speech at the function, in which he claimed he was not a Punjabi but his wife was, is also being seen as “political” by political circles in the state. Bhushan was a founder member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and was expelled from the party five years ago along with Yogendra Yadav. Former Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi is their aide. Amarinder and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are sworn enemies and the AAP is trying to infuse some life into its state unit that has lost ground ahead of Assembly elections in the state in 2022.

While the party did not have its popular speaker in Navjot Sidhu at the function, Bhushan was on the government’s stage addressing the gathering. “He speaks well. There were many people who hailed him for his stand in Supreme Court in the infamous contempt of court case against him,” a party leader said.

On invite to Sidhu, it is learnt that the government had sent printed invites to all MLAs, ministers and dignitaries to attend the function as it was to mark the completion of 550th year celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev starting last year on his birthday.

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Sidhu, who had hit the headlines during opening of Kartarpur corridor and was the harbinger of the news from Pakistan, was not a part of the function on Monday.

Along with him, party general secretary incharge Harish Rawat, who has been active in the state, was also conspicuous by his absence. He had been supporting Sidhu and had even called him a “Rafale”.

“His absence does mean everything is still not right. Otherwise why would he not come?” asked a party leader.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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