President Accepts Resignation on PM Modi’s Advice

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu has resigned from the Union Council of Ministers. President Droupadi Murmu has accepted his resignation following the recommendation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to an official communication from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The resignation has taken immediate effect.

Political circles believe Bittu’s exit from the Union Cabinet could be part of the BJP’s strategy ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, where he is expected to play a significant role.

Likely to Be BJP’s Key Face in Punjab
Sources indicate that the BJP may assign Bittu a major responsibility in Punjab, with speculation that he could contest from an important Assembly constituency. A grassroots leader with considerable political influence, Bittu is expected to be one of the party’s prominent faces as it strengthens its campaign in the state.

His resignation has further fuelled speculation that the BJP wants him to focus entirely on Punjab politics in the run-up to the elections.

A Prominent Political Journey
Ravneet Singh Bittu is the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated by Khalistani militants in 1995. A three-time Member of Parliament, Bittu began his parliamentary career by winning the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat in 2009 before shifting to Ludhiana, where he secured consecutive victories in 2014 and 2019.

Once considered a close associate of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Bittu left the Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—a move that was widely seen as a significant setback for the Congress in Punjab.

2024 Defeat, Yet Cabinet Berth
Although Bittu lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Ludhiana to Congress candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring by over 20,900 votes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted him into the Union Cabinet as Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries.

His resignation from the ministerial post now signals a possible shift in responsibilities, with the BJP likely preparing him for a bigger political role in Punjab.

What Lies Ahead?
While the BJP has not officially announced its plans, Bittu’s resignation has intensified speculation that he will spearhead the party’s campaign in Punjab and may emerge as one of its key leaders in the upcoming Assembly elections. Political observers are closely watching the party’s next move as preparations for the state polls gather momentum.