Ravneet Bittu's Elevation, Despite Electoral Defeat, Sparks Discontent Among Several Groups

We delineate seven categories of individuals and groups who are not too happy with Bittu's unexpected rise in the political arena.

The Surprise Elevation of Ravneet Singh Bittu

The inclusion of Ravneet Singh Bittu in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet, as unveiled during the swearing-in ceremony (see video) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the evening of 9th June 2024, has sparked both surprise and disappointment, if not agitation, among various groups. Despite his loss in a closely contested Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat as a BJP nominee, Bittu's elevation has not gone uncommented. This young politician, the grandson of the assassinated Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, had recently left the Congress Party to join the BJP.

In this article, we delineate seven categories of individuals and groups who are discontented with Bittu's unexpected rise in the political arena. But before that, a little about his political career and personal background.

Political Career

Ravneet Singh Bittu, born on September 10, 1975, is an established Indian politician who has served multiple terms in the Lok Sabha, representing Ludhiana. Bittu first entered the Lok Sabha in 2009 from Anandpur Sahib and later secured re-election from Ludhiana in both 2014 and 2019 as a member of the Indian National Congress. His political journey saw a significant shift in March 2021 when he briefly served as the leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, filling in for Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury during the West Bengal election campaigns. Additionally, he was appointed as the Party Whip in the Lok Sabha in 2020.

However, ahead of the 2024 general elections, Bittu made a notable switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), contesting the Ludhiana seat on a BJP ticket. Despite a narrow loss to Congress candidate Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Bittu's political career saw a new chapter as he was inducted as a Minister of State in the Modi 3.0 Government in June 2024. His inclusion is a strategic move by the BJP to strengthen its foothold in Punjab.

Personal Life

Ravneet Singh Bittu was born in Kotli village, Ludhiana district, Punjab, to Swaranjit Singh and Jasvir Kaur. Tragedy struck early in his life with the death of his father in a car accident when Bittu was just 11 years old, and later, his grandfather Beant Singh, then Chief Minister of Punjab, was assassinated by militants in 1995. Bittu completed his education up to the 12th standard at Guru Nanak Public School in Chandigarh. Before venturing into politics, he managed a small cement production business.

His political career took off after meeting Rahul Gandhi in 2007, leading to his appointment as the Punjab Youth Congress chief in 2008. Bittu is married to Anupama, and they have a son together. Outside of his political commitments, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports like hockey and kabaddi, and maintaining an active lifestyle. A former national hockey player, Bittu remains passionate about sports. As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around Rs 5.94 crores. Known for his strong stance against pro-Khalistani elements, Bittu proudly identifies as a nationalist.

Who all are unhappy with Bittu’s Elevation?

1. Original BJP Members

The first group dissatisfied with Ravneet Bittu's elevation comprises long-time BJP and erstwhile Jan Sangh members. Although the BJP has maintained a limited presence in Punjab, mainly in urban areas, as a junior partner in the Akali Dal-led government, the party's leadership had high hopes for this election, fighting alone without an alliance. Despite winning no Lok Sabha seats, its vote share of 18.50% was the highest ever, spurred by the Ram Mandir surge of enthusiasm, especially among Hindu voters. This had raised expectations among these original members for representation from within their ranks; they were understandably disappointed.

However, their grievance against the BJP high command's decision doesn't hold much weight since there wasn't a senior leader available who could have been elevated instead.

2. Farmers' Discontent

Punjab farmers' organisations, already on the path of agitation in support of their demands regarding MSP, are another significant group unhappy with Bittu's new role. Their discontent stems not just from his association with the BJP, which they generally oppose, but also from his obdurate attitude, which elicited fierce resistance in rural constituencies like Jagraon, Dakha, and, to a certain extent, Gill segments within the overall Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency. Bittu's confrontational stance against farmers during his campaign certainly contributed to his poor showing in these segments, despite being the leading candidate in the other six segments, leading to his defeat. His provocative comments post-election about the farmers have only heightened tensions, and many such organisations view his ministerial position with suspicion, hoping he adopts a more conciliatory approach.

3. Former Congress Colleagues

Former colleagues from the Congress Party have also voiced their displeasure. They see Bittu's switch to the BJP as a betrayal, especially given his grandfather Beant Singh's lifelong commitment to the Congress. These critics argue that Bittu's departure and subsequent contest from Ludhiana not only led to his defeat but also helped the Congress win this seat, sending a moral message that the electorate does not favour party defectors. While some of this outrage may be driven by professional jealousy, the criticism highlights a broader disappointment within the Congress party ranks, which, in any case, won from this seat.

4. Human Rights Organisations

Human rights organisations, particularly those critical of Beant Singh's tenure as Chief Minister, have expressed their strong objections to Bittu's elevation. They hold Beant Singh responsible for extra-judicial killings and fake encounters during his term from 1992 to 1995 in Punjab. Although these actions should not reflect on Bittu, his political lineage provides a point of contention. This historical baggage allows these organisations to question the BJP's judgment—especially given its efforts to woo the Sikhs—in selecting Bittu, thereby adding another layer of criticism to his appointment.

5. Preference for Sunil Jakhar

Some political observers and opponents argue that a secular leader like Sunil Jakhar would have been a better choice for representation in the Modi 3.0 Government. Despite being in the BJP now, Jakhar, who is the party's Punjab State President, was overlooked. This decision has drawn comments from across party lines, suggesting that Jakhar's secular image and experience could have been more beneficial for Punjab's representation. However, Jakhar himself has not publicly voiced any disappointment over this decision.

6. Support for ex-Diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu

Neutral observers have suggested that Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the former Indian Ambassador to the USA, who contested and lost the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket, would have been a better fit for the Union Cabinet. Sandhu's extensive diplomatic experience and connections with Silicon Valley companies could have been advantageous in attracting investment and fostering bilateral trade, perhaps even cutting across the official channels. His potential for economic contributions is seen as a missed opportunity by some, adding to the critique of Bittu's elevation.

7. Captain Amarinder Singh's Disappointment

Lastly, former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his family, now aligned with the BJP, are reportedly unhappy with Bittu's promotion. Amarinder Singh had hoped for an alliance with the Akali Dal and wanted his daughter, Jai Inder Kaur, to contest from Patiala. Neither happened, and his wife, Maharani Preneet Kaur, lost her seat, as the BJP nominee. The elevation of the younger Bittu is seen as a personal setback for Amarinder Singh, who might have aspired for his daughter's rapid rise in the saffron party. The silence from his camp on this matter speaks volumes about their disappointment.

These seven groups illustrate the diverse, but not surprising, range of discontentment surrounding Ravneet Bittu's surprising rise to the Union Cabinet, highlighting the complex political landscape he now navigates.

Summing Up

In summary, Ravneet Bittu's elevation to the Union Cabinet has no doubt stirred discontent among various groups, which was not widely anticipated. Despite losing the Ludhiana seat, Bittu's bold decision to join the BJP and his subsequent induction as a Minister of State, however, reflects a significant personal and political progression. He now has the opportunity to transcend his past as a Congress MP and emerge as a dedicated representative of Punjab, focusing on the State's priority issues. While senior ministers like Hardeep Singh Puri have extensive responsibilities, Bittu's youthful energy and dedication can make a substantial impact. As he begins his tenure, it is crucial for him to focus on the interests of Punjab and the nation, filtering out the noise of criticism.

Congratulations to Ravneet Bittu, and we look forward to seeing his contributions in the Modi 3.0 Government.

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Post Script: We hope to publish another article soon, where we will present our set of core priorities that Ravneet Bittu should focus on as Punjab’s representative in the Council of Ministers in Delhi.

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