On the issue of his appearance on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', Navjot Singh Sidhu says he has right to earn a living. Take away his livelihood, and you're pushing him towards corruption, is his latest retort
Navjot Singh Sidhu
The subtle tussle of power between Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh and minister for Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and Archives and Museums, Navjot Singh Sidhu, is gaining strength. Even as the CM seeks legal opinion on whether Sidhu can continue to appear on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', Sidhu has said he has the right to earn his living from TV. Take away his livelihood, and you’re pushing him towards corruption, is his latest retort, leaving Punjab politicos miffed at the suggestion that all ministers without jobs out of parliament are corrupt.
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Sidhu has shot back with, "Should I run bus service like Sukhbir (Singh Badal, the former deputy chief minister of Punjab)?” Suggesting that he had no other source of income –- the income as a minister is temporary -- and highlighting his honest, clean image, he asked, "Or indulge in corruption?"
Observers say it’s a political fight, with the CM trying to keep Sidhu in check. There are enough instances of ministers carrying balancing career with politics.
Singer Babul Supriyo, actor Shatrughan Sinha and late actor Sunil Dutt have held important portfolios in the government while continuing their passion. In fact, Dutt was MP when he shot for 'Munnabhai MBBS' (2003).
Actor and BJP leader Sinha says, “Sidhu is planning to balance both jobs and I don’t see a problem. Even I shot for Firoz Nadiadwala’s 'Aan - Men At Work' while I was a cabinet minister and I didn’t need permission from then PM Atal Behari Vajpayee.”
Babul Supriyo
Union Minister, Supriyo, said, “I don’t think there is a restriction on a minister continuing his job as entertainer/artist as long it is within the prescribed parameters, and doesn’t lead to conflict of interest or interfere with government protocol and duties. It’s important to note that unlike an MP, a minister cannot have a house of profit since he is a full-time government employee.”
Senior lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani says Sidhu could continue with his TV commitments, but agreed with Supriyo over house of profit. “I’d rather wait for the Attorney General’s verdict on the same,” he adds.
Navjot Kaur Sidhu
Meanwhile, Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur, posted this message on social media on Sunday: “We have no other business or source of income except television. He has left 80 per cent of shows which included IPL, commentary etc [to dedicate attention to public service]. Shooting for two shows of Comedy Nights with Kapil takes only five hours a week and that also mostly on Saturday night. I think it is meagre time for a non-socially active God-fearing workaholic [like Sidhu] (sic).”
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