Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu, born on October 20, 1963, in Patiala, Punjab, is an Indian politician, former international cricketer, and television personality. He is a notable figure in Punjab's political scene and has been associated with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). Sidhu first gained fame as a cricketer, playing for the Indian national team from 1983 to 1999. Known for his aggressive batting style and his moniker "Sixer Sidhu," he had a successful cricket career, marked by notable performances in both Test and One-Day Internationals.

Following his retirement from cricket, Sidhu ventured into television as a cricket commentator and later became a popular figure on comedy shows and reality TV. His unique oratory style, marked by poetic phrases and humor, made him a well-known television personality.

Sidhu began his political career in 2004, becoming a Member of Parliament from Amritsar on a BJP ticket. He served three terms in the Lok Sabha but resigned from the BJP in 2016 due to differences with the party's leadership. In 2017, Sidhu joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and played a crucial role in the party’s campaign for the Punjab Assembly elections, contributing to the Congress's victory. He was appointed Minister of Local Government, Tourism, and Cultural Affairs in the Punjab government but resigned amid differences with then-Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

In 2021, Sidhu was appointed as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, but his tenure was marked by internal party disputes, especially during the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. His outspoken nature and candid comments on governance, corruption, and state issues have made him both a celebrated and controversial figure.

In July 2021, BOOM fact-checked a viral image claiming to show Sidhu holding a photo of Indira Gandhi.

BOOM found out that the original image showed Sidhu holding a photo of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, debunking the fake narrative.