BJP Leader Ravneet Singh Bittu Appointed Union Minister of State

Ludhiana: BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has been appointed as Union Minister of State in the Modi government. Despite his defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP high command has shown confidence in Bittu, highlighting the importance of Punjab for the BJP. Bittu, the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, is the only leader from Punjab included in the Modi cabinet. Before this year’s Lok Sabha elections, he left the Congress and joined the BJP, contesting from Ludhiana but losing to Congress’ state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warding by more than twenty thousand votes.

Although the BJP did not win any seats in Punjab, losing all 13, the appointment of Bittu as a minister indicates the party’s focus on the state. With the 2027 assembly elections in mind, the BJP has chosen a prominent Jat Sikh face. Bittu has been vocal against Khalistani ideology in Punjab. He stated that the Modi government has given Punjab significant representation by including him in the cabinet, and he is committed to advancing the state’s development. Bittu emphasized his role in bridging the gap between the central government and the needs of Punjab’s farmers, laborers, and industries. He mentioned that Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah have prepared a comprehensive roadmap for the state’s development, which he will work on implementing.

Bittu will need to become a Rajya Sabha member within six months to maintain his ministerial position, as the BJP has no Rajya Sabha seats in Punjab. This will likely involve securing a seat from another state. The BJP has previously made similar strategic moves, as seen with Arun Jaitley, Ambika Soni, and Hardeep Puri, who were appointed ministers despite losing elections.

Home Minister Amit Shah, during a campaign in Ludhiana, had promised to elevate Bittu if he won. Although Bittu did not win the Ludhiana seat, Shah fulfilled his promise by appointing him to the Union Cabinet. This strategic move is part of the BJP’s broader plan to strengthen its presence in Punjab ahead of future elections.

Source : khalihan news (https://khalihannews.com/)