Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Harpal Cheema hits Congress: Party should display ‘price list’ for posts
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 9, 2025: Punjab Finance Minister and senior AAP leader, Harpal Singh Cheema, on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party over alleged corruption, suggesting that the party should put up a “menu board” outside its office listing fixed rates for positions such as Chief Minister, Cabinet Minister, MP, MLA, and Panchayat posts.
Addressing a press conference at the AAP office, Cheema referred to claims by Navjot Kaur Sidhu that the Chief Minister’s post was allegedly sold for ₹500 crore in Congress.
He expressed surprise that even after several days, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge had not clarified the matter.
Cheema also highlighted Sunil Jakhar’s allegation that Charanjit Singh Channi secured the Chief Minister’s post for ₹350 crore, noting the silence of key Congress leaders including Captain Amarinder Singh, Channi, Rahul Gandhi, Punjab Congress President Raja Warring, and Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa.
Responding to remarks by Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister suggesting Sidhu needs psychological treatment, Cheema defended her, pointing out she is a cancer survivor now fighting for the people of Punjab. He remarked, “It is the senior Congress leadership, not Navjot Kaur Sidhu, that needs psychological treatment.”
Cheema also recalled the December 10, 2021, fight between two Congress ministers inside Punjab Bhawan, which exposed corruption in transfers.
He criticized the BJP for not taking action against two leaders involved in similar post-corruption cases, despite them now being part of the party.
Highlighting AAP’s governance record, Cheema contrasted Congress’ corruption with the achievements under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, noting that over 56,000 youths have been given jobs transparently, marking a shift from nepotism and misuse of power in previous Congress governments.
Cheema emphasized that corruption in Congress was widespread, extending beyond the Scholarship Scam to Cabinet-level manipulation for the benefit of ministers’ families, while AAP’s leadership has ensured transparency and fairness in governance.