Chandigarh: Preparations have started to send Former Congress leader and Ex MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who became Union Minister of State despite losing from Ludhiana, Punjab, to Rajya Sabha. It is being speculated that Ravneet Bittu can be fielded from the only Rajya Sabha seat from Haryana. His entry from Haryana can prove to be a game-changer. By doing this, the BJP is keeping an eye on the Haryana Assembly as well as the 4 by-election seats in Punjab. With Ravneet Bittu, BJP wants to expand its base in Sikhs of Punjab as well as Haryana.
Talking about Haryana assembly elections, announcement about the same can be made anytime this year. Sikh votes have a great influence in the districts of Haryana bordering Punjab. Earlier MLA Sandeep Singh used to take charge of Sikhs in Haryana but at the time of change of power, he was not given any ministerial post. By fielding Ravneet Bittu on the vacant Rajya Sabha seat of Haryana, the BJP wants to attract Sikh votes towards itself.
Apart from this, by-elections are to be held in Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Barnala and Chabbewal in Punjab. After making Bittu Union Minister of State, BJP is hoping to increase its votes on these four seats by sending him to Rajya Sabha.
This seat has fallen vacant after Deepender Hooda was elected as the Lok Sabha MP from Rohtak. Apart from Ravneet Bittu, many senior leaders including Ram Bilas Sharma, Captain Abhimanyu, OP Dhankar, Sanjay Bhatia, Manish Grover, Kuldeep Bishnoi and Sunita Duggal are also contenders. Kiran Chaudhary, who recently left the Congress and joined the BJP, is also in the race of Haryana Rajya sabha election.