‘BJP’s poster boy’: Punjab ex-minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu slams Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu Bittu over ‘enemy of state’ remark for Rahul Gandhi

Ludhiana: Senior Congress member and former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu launched a blistering verbal counter-attack on Wednesday against Union minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, labelling his recent comments against Rahul Gandhi as "deeply irresponsible" and "unfortunate".The friction follows Bittu's controversial branding of the Lok Sabha's leader of the opposition as "Desh ke Dushman" (enemy of the country), a statement that has ignited a firestorm within Punjab's political circles. Ashu reminded Bittu, a three-time Member of Parliament, that his political foundations were built entirely on the support of the Gandhi family.
Ashu noted that the Congress party had nurtured Bittu's career, providing him with repeated opportunities and trust. "Just because you have become a poster boy of the BJP today does not mean you forget those who helped you rise in public life," Ashu said, accusing Bittu of abusing his former mentors for "political convenience".The Legacy ContradictionThe former minister drew a sharp contrast between Bittu's current rhetoric and the legacy of his grandfather, the late Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. "It is ironic that a person who claims to inherit Beant Singh's legacy has abandoned the very principles his family stood for," Ashu remarked. He pointed out that Beant Singh had sacrificed his life fighting the very "divisive forces" that the Congress alleges the BJP represents. Ashu argued that by switching sides for power and questioning the patriotism of others, Bittu has exposed a "lack of conviction."‘Sacrifice vs Rhetoric'Ashu underscored the historical weight of the Gandhi family's contributions to India, framing Bittu's comments as a sign of political frustration rather than truth. Ashu reminded the Union Minister that both the Gandhi family and Beant Singh fought for the same cause — the unity and integrity of India.In a call for introspection, Ashu added: "Before pointing fingers at Rahul Gandhi, Bittu should remember that both Beant Singh and the Gandhi family laid down their lives for this country." The Congress member concluded by stating that such reckless personal attacks serve only to lower the dignity of public life.