By Amrit Pal Sidhu / Babushahi Network
Bathinda | May 23, 2026
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu issued a stern warning ahead of the municipal elections scheduled for May 26, stating that any attempt to disturb or influence the voting process would not be tolerated. Addressing a press conference at the district BJP office in Bathinda, Bittu said he would personally monitor the polling process to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
He asserted that any complaints regarding irregularities during polling would be immediately forwarded to the Union Home Ministry. “If anyone tries to disrupt the elections or manipulate the voting process, strict action will be taken, even against officers as senior as the DC and SSP,” Bittu warned, adding that accountability would extend to top administrative officials if found guilty of misconduct.
The press conference was attended by several BJP leaders, including urban district president Sarup Chand Singla, rural president Gurpreet Singh Maluka, general secretary Dyal Singh Sodhi, municipal election in-charge Jeevan Gupta, and Raj Numbardar.
Bittu also spoke about the political mood in Bathinda, claiming that many residents feel disappointed after electing Jagroop Singh Gill as MLA during the Assembly elections. Urging voters to make a “wise decision” in the upcoming civic polls, he advised them against supporting the Shiromani Akali Dal or the Indian National Congress. He further alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party has lost relevance in Punjab and claimed that people are now looking towards the BJP as an alternative for governance in the state.
The Union Minister also criticized Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over their recent meeting with jailed cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora. Bittu alleged that the visit was not related to Arora’s health, but rather an attempt to trace assets linked to corruption cases. Taking a jibe at Bhagwant Mann, he remarked that the Chief Minister himself might soon face legal trouble.
Targeting the Punjab government’s performance, Bittu accused the state administration of failing to fulfill promises made during its four-and-a-half-year tenure. He claimed that not a single unskilled employee had been regularized during this period and alleged that many workers are being forced to approach courts over pending dearness allowance issues.
He further criticized the state’s financial condition, alleging that Punjab was being compelled to take loans by mortgaging land due to poor economic management.
Raising another contentious issue, Bittu questioned the ongoing survey on drug addiction in Punjab. He alleged that nearly 1,000 teachers had been assigned to collect data on drug addicts and claimed the exercise could be used to malign Punjab’s youth.
“Statistics have become a powerful tool in today’s world. There appears to be a conspiracy to defame Punjab’s youth through these figures,” he said, accusing Arvind Kejriwal and his associates of attempting to damage the image of the state.
As Bathinda prepares for the municipal elections, Bittu’s remarks have intensified the political atmosphere, setting the stage for a closely watched and highly charged electoral contest.