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Balkar Singh Sidhu is an Indian politician and a Punjabi singer. In 2022, he became a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Rampura Phul constituency of Punjab on a ticket from the Aam Aadmi Party. He is popular for his Punjabi song “Majhe Diye Mombatiye” (2000).
Wiki/Biography
Balkar Singh Sidhu was born on Sunday, 10 October 1971 (age 52 years; as of 2023) in the village of Poohla of Bathinda district in Punjab. His zodiac sign is Libra. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts at Punjabi University, Patiala, in 1993.
Balkar Sidhu during his performance
Family
Parents & Siblings
Balkar Sidhu’s father, Roop Singh Sidhu, is a farmer, and his mother, Charanjeet Kaur, is a homemaker.
Balkar Sidhu with his mother
Balkar Sidhu with his parents
Wife & Children
Balkar Sidhu is married to Jinder Kaur, a homemaker. The couple has 2 daughters, Shabadjot Sidhu, and Kasamjot Sidhu, and a son, Kaka Kunwar Sidhu
Balkar Sidhu (folding hands) with his wife
Religion
Balkar Sidhu follows Sikhism.
Balkar Sidhu in a gurdwara
Career
Singing
Balkar Sidhu made his singing debut when he was still in college, and during that time, he released 5 songs and an album, “Karna Chhad De Pyar” (1991). Later, he released the Punjabi song “Din Pepran De” and many other albums. Sidhu has released a total of 19 albums. He received fame and recognition after his songs “Maje Diye Mombatiye” and “Vyah” from his album “Laung Taviteriaan” (2003).
Balkar Sidhu in a still from the video of the song “Majhe Diye Mombatiye”
He performs live shows during election rallies, and also at marriage functions.
Balkar Sidhu performing on stage during a live show
Acting
Balkar Sidhu made his acting debut with the Punjabi film Chhankata. Later, he appeared as a professor in Sikander (2013). He is also known for his performances in the films Desi Munde (2016) and Jatt James Bond (2014).
Balkar Sidhu in a still from the Punjabi film Desi Munde (2016)
Politics
AAP
Balkar Sidhu started his political career in May 2014, when he joined the Aam Aadmi Party. In the same year, he was announced as the AAP candidate from the Talwandi Sabo constituency. However, he was replaced by Baljinder Kaur because of ongoing speculations against him for allegedly being involved in anti-party activities. Sidhu was kicked out of the Aam Aadmi Party and decided to run for elections as an independent candidate. In 2021, Balkar Sidhu rejoined the Aam Aadmi Party. In 2022, he contested the Punjab assembly elections from the Rampura Phul constituency and won, defeating his nearest rivals Sikandar Singh Maluka of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Gurpreet Singh Kangar of Congress.
Balkar Sidhu (centre) with Bhagwant Mann at a press conference
Indian National Congress
In 2016, Balkar Sidhu joined the Indian National Congress, after he was expelled from the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014, allegedly indulging in anti-party activities. Later, he became a member of the Punjab Pradesh Congress committee in the presence of Capt. Amarinder Singh. In an interview, while talking about joining the congress party, Sidhu said,
I have joined the Congress party unconditionally. I am confident that under the leadership of the party’s national president Sonia Gandhi, vice-president Rahul Gandhi and state president Capt Amarinder Singh, we will form the next government in Punjab. I will use my singing talent and write songs to convey the anger that is there against the Akalis among various sections of society for pushing the state backwards.”
Talking about the allegations made against him by the AAP party he said,
At the time of the by-polls, various false charges had been levelled against me but the AAP failed to prove any charge later on. Now, I will seek a reply from them by filing a case in the court for defaming me.After Punjabi comedian-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann joined AAP and later become MP from Sangrur, several actors in the state connected with the party and thought it was sincere and committed to clean the system. However, as the time passed, people realised AAP is not what it used to be. They just made big promises to garner votes. They have no policy, no agenda, no programme for the people.”
Balkar Sidhu (holding the mic) with Capt Amarinder Singh
Controversy
Allegations of Human Trafficking
Balkar Sidhu was given the ticket to fight the Talwandi Sabo by-poll in 2014 by the Aam Aadmi Party; however, he was expelled from the AAP after the allegations of human trafficking were made against him, but he denied all the allegations. He was then replaced by a local lecturer Baljinder Kaur.
Signature/Autograph
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Bank Deposits: Rs. 12,72,200
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 13,50,000
Immovable Asset
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 11,92,000
- Commercial Buildings: Rs. 49,50,000
Note: The estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2021. It excludes the assets owned by his wife.
Salary
Balkar Sidhu receives a salary of Rs 1,10,000 + other allowances per month as a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly.
Net Worth
Balkar Sidhu’s net worth for the financial year 2020-2021 was estimated to be Rs.95 Lakhs. It excludes the net worth of his wife.
Car Collection
He owns an Audi AG car.
Facts/Trivia
- During college, he participated in many sports like the 800-meter race, 1500-meter race, and Cross Country as he wanted to become an athlete.
- While studying in college, Balkar Sidhu participated in many theatrical productions related to farmers.
- Sidhu recorded his second album, “Din Paperan De,” which included 8 songs, in a single day.
- He considers himself as an old-school artist. In an interview, he talked about this and said,
I don’t belong to this digital age, I am from the time when we use to record albums on a two-track recorder and there was no autotune, I do not understand YouTube but I am still an artist and will definitely release something soon.”
- Balkar Sidhu considers Milkha Singh as his favorite athlete.