CHANDIGARH, MAY 28 — Aam Aadmi Party Punjab State President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Wednesday criticized Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, accusing him of violating election protocols and attempting to disrupt municipal corporation polling through intimidation.
Speaking at a press conference, Arora stated that the state administration had issued directives to guarantee peaceful and democratic elections across the state. He maintained, however, that the Bharatiya Janata Party resorted to misuse of authority and disruptive tactics during the voting process.
The cabinet minister noted that BJP leaders actively bypassed Election Commission guidelines by remaining in Dhuri after the official campaigning window had closed. He stated that outside political figures are legally required to leave the area, yet local authorities discovered BJP leader Onkar Singh remaining in the constituency in clear violation of these rules.
“When Punjab Police attempted to enforce the rules and removed the BJP leader from the area, Ravneet Bittu himself reached the spot and tried to obstruct the police action,” Arora asserted.
Arora related that law enforcement personnel handled the situation with restraint, but faced misbehavior and intimidation from the federal minister. He declared that the verbal attacks directed at senior officers, including a female police official, were unacceptable.
The AAP state president noted that the state’s police force has historical significance due to its sacrifices during past periods of militancy. He asserted that targeting uniform personnel using identity-based or derogatory language damages the morale of the force.
Arora also raised questions regarding Bittu’s personal consistency, stating that the minister previously utilized political leverage during a past Congress administration to secure a deputy superintendent of police post for his brother despite discrepancies in baseline eligibility criteria. He stated that the current administration stands fully behind law enforcement.
“No one, regardless of position or power, has the right to undermine the law, insult police personnel or disrupt the democratic process,” Arora declared.
