In a remarkable twist of fate, two former comrades-in-arms, handpicked by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during their nascent years in the Youth Congress, find themselves on opposite ends of the political spectrum as they prepare to face off in Ludhiana for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The electoral battleground is set for a high-stakes showdown between Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and party defector Ravneet Singh Bittu — each determined to carve their own path to victory, marking a poignant chapter in their intertwined political journey.
Congress has placed a bold wager on Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat, pitting the heavyweight, Punjab Warring against the former party colleague-turned-BJP member Bittu — a move that has transformed the constituency into the epicenter of political discourse in Punjab.
Warring, who has emerged as a prominent figure in Punjab politics in the past decade and hailed from the dominant Jat Sikh community, faced an unsuccessful bid for Bathinda seat during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, Bittu, hailing from a distinguished political lineage as the grandson of slain Chief Minister Beant Singh, has previously represented the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency twice under the Congress banner. However, being the sitting Ludhiana MP of the Congress, Bittu recently made headlines by crossing party lines to join the BJP, which re-nominated him from Ludhiana.
The Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency has evolved into a formidable battleground for the Congress, especially following Bittu's departure from the party. His exit has left the Congress grappling to identify a suitable successor, adding a new layer of complexity to the electoral dynamics in the region.
Initially, Warring aspired for the party ticket from Bathinda for his wife, Amrita Warring, but was met with a denial. Despite this setback, he acquiesced to contest from any constituency in Punjab. The party, acknowledging his influence and stature, strategically nominated him to challenge Bittu, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown in Ludhiana.
Earlier, the candidacy of former Minister and Ludhiana MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu was also under consideration for the Ludhiana seat. Ashu enjoys considerable support among Ludhiana’s business community and various social groups, making him a strong contender. However, opposition to Ashu’s candidature emerged in several quarters, especially in the wake of his proximity to Bittu that led to his exclusion from the race.
The Congress’ quest for a candidate in Ludhiana had stirred discussions around the names of Bittu's cousin and former MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli, besides Olympain and Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh. However, the deliberations eventually culminated in the selection of Warring, who now faces the daunting task of reclaiming Ludhiana for the Congress. The seat has become a focal point for the Congress, determined not to concede defeat at any cost. Recently, senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa had also stated that if Bittu wins from Ludhiana, he would consider retiring from politics.
In addition to the fierce face-off between Warring and Bittu, AAP’s local MLA Ashok Parashar Pappi — a grassroot leader; and SAD’s Ranjeet Singh Dhillon — a former MLA are also in the fray.
In response to Warring's nomination in Ludhiana, Bittu asserted, “It's evident from the outset that the Congress lacks confidence in Ludhiana's local leadership. Hence, they've chosen to field an outsider in this crucial constituency. His campaign might involve mere morning walks in parks and meetings with industrialists, but he'll struggle to resonate with the grassroots of Ludhiana. It’s regrettable that the Congress couldn't find a local candidate for Ludhiana, signaling their resignation to defeat.”
Meanwhile, Warring said: “I am prepared to contest from Ludhiana, backed by the unwavering trust of the Congress leadership…I have never shied away from challenges, and the Congress high command deems me fit for this endeavour. My dedication to success is unwavering.”
Highlighting the broader significance of his candidacy, Warring asserted that this campaign “is not just against an individual but against one who betrayed the trust of Congress and the people of Ludhiana”.
“Bittu's political existence owes much to Congress, and it's time for him to realize that,” he said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming challenge, Warring emphasized, “This battle is against the BJP, and I trust the people of Ludhiana to reject their tyranny…This is a battle between loyalty to Punjab and betrayal.”
