When Ravneet Singh Bittu, sitting MP and the BJP candidate, gears up to file his nomination papers from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat on Friday, he plans to embark on a unique journey, one steeped in nostalgia and political legacy. Accompanied by senior BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Bittu will travel in an old Ambassador car — a cherished relic once owned by his late grandfather and former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
Beant Singh, a towering figure in Punjab politics, met an untimely demise in a bomb blast outside the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh in August 1995. For Bittu, this Ambassador car is not merely a mode of transportation but a vessel of cherished memories and familial legacy.
“I have the legacy of a great political personality of his times,” Bittu remarked with evident pride. “This car holds immense emotional value for my family. Whenever we seek the blessings of my grandfather Beant Singh, we turn to this cherished vehicle,” he added.
As Bittu makes his way to the Deputy Commissioner's office in Ludhiana, he plans to pay homage at Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib and Durga Mata Mandir, invoking the spirits of faith and tradition before stepping into the realm of politics.
Bittu's political journey is as intriguing as his mode of transport. A three-time MP, he made headlines in March when he parted ways with the Congress to join the BJP. His decision adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming elections, especially in Ludhiana, traditionally considered a Congress bastion.
Political Showdown in Jalandhar: Channi, Tinu, Rinku, Kaypee to File nominations Today
Jalandhar gears up for a political spectacle on Friday as key candidates from all the major political parties prepare to file their nominations for June 1 elections. The lineup includes heavyweight contenders such as former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi from the Congress, former MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), sitting MP Sushil Kumar Rinku from the BJP, and former MP Mohinder Singh KP from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Supporters of these candidates have been mobilizing in full force, ensuring all necessary arrangements are in place for the nomination filing process. Excitement and anticipation are running high as the candidates, accompanied by a multitude of supporters, are set to converge at the deputy commissioner's office to formalize their candidacy.
Thursday witnessed a total of 28 candidates filing their nomination papers across the state. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C reported single nominations from Fatehgarh Sahib and Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituencies. Meanwhile, Sangrur, Amritsar, Bathinda, and Ferozepur saw two candidates each filing their nominations. Patiala had three candidates filing nominations, while Anandpur Sahib saw three, Khadoor Sahib four, and Ludhiana five candidates filing their nomination papers. However, Gurdaspur and Jalandhar Lok Sabha seats remained vacant as no candidate filed nominations on Thursday.
Since the commencement of the nomination process on May 7 for the June 1 Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, a total of 61 candidates have submitted their nomination papers. The process will continue till May 14, followed by scrutiny on May 15, and the last date for withdrawal of nominations on May 17.
