Patiala/Chandigarh, December 11, 2024: Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu appealed to Punjab government officers to refrain from interfering in the democratic process during municipal elections. He alleged that IAS and IPS officers are delaying NOCs under political pressure, against the BJP candidates.
Addressing a press conference in Patiala, Bittu warned officers to avoid such actions, stating that strict vigilance is being kept on those indulging in such activities under the influence of the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government.
“Officers must remember their cadres are with the central government. If evidence is found against any officer, FIRs will be registered through the Election Commission,” Bittu said. He also warned, “I will remind these officers that neither Bhagwant Mann nor Arvind Kejriwal will stand by them during their difficult times.”
Bittu appealed to Patiala voters to elect a BJP mayor for the city’s overall development, ensuring direct access to the central leadership. “A BJP mayor will facilitate the initiation of large projects for Patiala’s development, just like in other states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, which have already benefited from BJP’s development agenda,” Bittu added.
Regarding the ongoing farmers’ protest at Punjab’s borders, Bittu reiterated his willingness to engage in dialogue. “Dialogue is the only way forward. I appeal to farmers to come forward for talks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi always considers Punjab farmers’ interests and has already implemented significant increases in MSP,” Bittu said.
He expressed concern for farmer leader Dallewal’s health and urged farmers to prioritize dialogue for a solution. “I request farmers to come forward for talks, keeping aside their egos. The central government is always open to discussions,” Bittu said.
Senior BJP leader Preneet Kaur also showed videos that BJP MC candidates are being pressurized and threatened by the AAP government in Patiala. “We have received reports that police are being sent to their homes to intimidate them, our district president was threatened by the police team. This is a clear violation of democratic principles and the constitution. We will not tolerate such actions and will take strict action against erring officers,” she warned.
“We will file FIRs and cases against them, whether through the Election Commission or court intervention. We have asked our workers to make videos of such incidents and file complaints straight away. We are in direct contact with the Centre government over this and will not let them indulge in such undemocratic actions again,” Preneet Kaur further said.
“I reiterate, very strongly, to the officers, the AAP government won’t stand with you when you face action, so stop playing in their hands and indulging in undemocratic actions. I urge the people of Patiala to once again stand with the Captain family, like they always have, and vote for the BJP,” Bittu said.
“We have already seen three years of AAP rule, and they have done nothing. They are completely broke and have nothing to give. They couldn’t even give Rs 1,000 to our ladies, as promised. Congress has nothing, neither here nor at the Centre level. Congress has been swept away from everywhere, so there’s no benefit in voting for their candidates,” Bittu said.
“If you choose BJP’s mayors, they can go directly to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other Centre ministers and bring projects for city development. Vote for development, vote for BJP. The Punjab government has completely failed, so there’s no need to vote for AAP’s candidates,” Bittu said.
“You see how UP, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan have given double-engine governments and are now seeing loads of development. We should do the same with Punjab and can start with these MC elections. The volunteers of AAP, on whose back the government was formed, are nowhere to be seen. They have all been completely ignored by the AAP, which has given tickets to turncoats. People will give a reply to this dictatorship with their vote and will vote against AAP,” Bittu said.
Later, Bittu, accompanied by senior leaders Ashwani Sharma, Preneet Kaur, Jai Inder Kaur, Karanveer Tohra, Bikramjeet Cheema, Daman Bajwa, Vijay Kuka, Balwant Rai, KK Sharma visited the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Patiala to submit nomination papers for BJP candidates contesting the municipal elections.
