Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has resigned as Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, paving the way for a likely entry into the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled next year.
Bittu's tenure as a Rajya Sabha member ended in June. As per media reports, he is expected to contest the state polls as the BJP intensifies efforts to strengthen its position in Punjab, currently governed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
In a post on X, Bittu thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve in the Union government.
"It has been an honour to serve the people of India, especially my beloved Punjab. I remain committed to the ideals of service, nationalism and the vision of a Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. My journey of public service continues with renewed dedication," he said.
The grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, Bittu joined the BJP in 2024 after leaving the Congress. Although he lost the Lok Sabha election, he later entered the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan to fill the remainder of a vacant term.
In recent months, Bittu drew attention for criticising Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj, describing it as an attempt to inflame tensions. The remarks reflected the BJP's emerging political strategy in Punjab, with a focus on key voter groups, including Hindus, Sikhs, Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Sikhs account for nearly 58 per cent of Punjab's population, while Hindus make up around 39 per cent. Dalits constitute roughly 32 per cent of the state's population, and OBCs are estimated to account for about 16 per cent. |
