With the 2027 Punjab assembly polls in mind, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a strategic move by inducting Ravneet Singh Bittu — three-time former MP, a prominent Sikh face with a considerable support among the Hindus, and having a significant political legacy — in the Union Cabinet despite facing a resounding defeat in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections.
To bolster its position in Punjab, especially after witnessing a significant increase in its vote share despite drawing a blank, the saffron party’s decision to make Bittu a Minister is aimed at wooing the state’s substantial Sikh and Hindu population, estimated to be about 60 percent and 38 percent, respectively. Notably, Bittu had been MP thrice — representing Sri Anandpur Sahib in 2009, and Ludhiana twice in 2014 and 2019 — as a Congress member.
Having switched to BJP ahead of polls, Bittu failed to retain his seat, losing to his friend-turned-opponent Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the state Congress president, by 20,000 votes.
Having a significant pedigree, Bittu is the grandson of the late Beant Singh, Punjab’s former Chief Minister credited with ending terrorism in the state. Beant Singh’s tenure saw significant anti-terrorism efforts, culminating in his assassination in a 1995 bomb blast orchestrated by Khalistan supporters. His sacrifice is remembered fondly by many Punjabis, particularly within the 38.5 percent Hindu community who have traditionally supported his family. By appointing Bittu, the BJP is eyeing to tap into this enduring legacy.
In fact, in the recent Lok Sabha elections also, Bittu prominently displayed his grandfather's images on hoardings and banners during his campaign. The BJP is also aiming to evoke this legacy to connect with the electorate.
Prominently a Sikh-dominated state with its demographic landscape featuring a 60 percent Sikh majority, induction of Bittu — a turbaned Sikh — is a calculated move by the saffron party to forge closer ties with this significant voter base. The decision is seen as a counter-narrative to the accusations of BJP being anti-Punjab, signaling a commitment to Sikh representation and rural outreach.
Notably, in the 2024 elections, the BJP’s vote share in Punjab has noticed an impressive upsurge overtaking its old ally and the state’s only regional party, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Notwithstanding the various challenges the party leaders face, in terms of massive farmers’ protest, banning entry in rural areas, among others, BJP’s vote share witnessed an increase from around nine percent in 2019 to 18.56 percent in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. On the other hand, SAD’s share plummeted from 27.45 percent to 13.42 percent.
Notably, only four of BJP’s 13 candidates lost their deposits, compared to 10 out of 13 SAD candidates. The party finished second in three of the total 13 seats and third in six others. BJP’s improved electoral performance underscored the BJP’s growing foothold in the state, further bolstered by the recruitment of prominent leaders from Congress and SAD.
In addition, Bittu’s induction is also a forward-looking strategy with an eye on the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Despite not winning any Lok Sabha seats in Punjab this time, the BJP is focused on expanding its base and preparing for future electoral battles. The party has systematically integrated influential figures such as former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, and others into its fold, setting the stage for a robust campaign in the upcoming state elections.
Bittu’s name has been selected ahead of other notable figures such as Preneet Kaur – former Union Minister and wife of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh; Taranjit Singh Sandhu – a former diplomat, Parampal Kaur Sidhu – a former IAS officer, to be part of the Union Cabinet.
Political observers maintained that the move is primarily aimed at projecting Bittu as the party’s face in Punjab, and probably as its Chief Ministerial candidate for 2027 polls. Following Navjot Singh Sidhu’s departure from the BJP, the party lacked a prominent Sikh face in Punjab. Although the BJP allied with Capt Amarinder Singh, his advancing age has limited his political activity. Bittu’s induction addresses this leadership void and positions the BJP as a strong contender against SAD.
Currently, Bittu is neither a Lok Sabha nor a Rajya Sabha member, and with the BJP’s limited presence in the Punjab Assembly, securing a Rajya Sabha seat for him locally is challenging. The party may nominate him from Haryana, where the BJP holds power and has an impending Rajya Sabha vacancy following Deepender Hooda’s Lok Sabha victory from Rohtak.
With approximately two and a half years to the 2027 Assembly elections, the BJP views Bittu, who has served as a three-time Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib and Ludhiana and as the president of Punjab Youth Congress, as a youthful and dynamic leader. BJP leadership believed that, if aligned with the party’s ideologies, Bittu can serve as a long-term asset for the party in Punjab.
By integrating Bittu into the Union Cabinet, the BJP is not just making a political statement but strategically positioning itself to harness legacy, engage the Sikh population, bridge leadership gaps, and build a robust future leadership framework in Punjab.
Bittu takes over charge as MoS — Handles key depts crucial for Punjab
As Bittu took over the charge as the Minister of State (MoS) for Food Processing Industries and Railways, the saffron party’s decision to elevate a defeated leader reflects a broader strategy aimed at the party's prospects in future. By enhancing the state’s infrastructure and addressing key agricultural issues via these two crucial ministries, BJP is hoping to strengthen its foothold in Punjab. Bittu’s appointment is a calculated move to prepare the party for future electoral success, focusing on development and employment to win over the electorate.
As the MoS for the two departments, crucial to Punjab, Bittu will collaborate with Cabinet Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Railways and Chirag Paswan in Food Processing Industries. Bittu’s appointment mirrors the portfolio held by Shiromani Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal during Modi’s previous term.
For agrarian state like Punjab, the Food Processing Department is crucial. Punjab ranks second in wheat and rice production and first in per capita milk availability. The state is also a major producer of kinnow and honey, ranking second and third respectively. Bittu’s role in this department will directly connect him, or say the BJP, with 70 percent of Punjab’s population involved in agriculture, potentially boosting the saffron party’s influence among the farmers.
Northern India has a significant railway industry, and Punjab houses the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala — a major contributor to railway manufacturing. Bittu’s focus on this sector is expected to create numerous employment opportunities. Also, the proposed high-speed rail project between Amritsar and Delhi, spanning approximately 465 kilometers, will drastically reduce travel time and enhance connectivity not only within Punjab but also with Haryana.
Additionally, the Chandigarh-Rajpura railway line, approved in 2016 but yet to see the light of the day, holds potential for significant employment opportunities for the people in the tricity area and other states. The railway department, last held by the former Congress leader and former Chandigarh MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, has now returned to this part of the region.
