AAP slams Ravneet Bittu over alleged misconduct with police during Dhuri poll incident

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Chandigarh, May 27

Punjab AAP president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Wednesday accused Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu of misbehaving with police personnel and indulging in “gundagardi” during an incident in Dhuri linked to the Punjab civic polls. The controversy broke out after police detained BJP leader Onkar Singh for allegedly campaigning during the mandatory silent period before polling.

Addressing the media in Chandigarh, Aman Arora said the police were only carrying out their duty when the confrontation took place in Sangrur’s Dhuri on Tuesday. He alleged that Ravneet Singh Bittu used objectionable language against senior police officials while demanding the release of BJP leader Onkar Singh.

According to Arora, election rules prohibit outsiders from campaigning after the silent period begins. He said that despite the restrictions, Onkar Singh was present in the area, prompting police action.

Arora strongly criticized Bittu’s conduct and termed it “shameless”. He said it was unacceptable for a senior leader of a national party to allegedly intimidate police officers who were discharging their responsibilities.

The dispute erupted after police stopped Bittu from proceeding towards Dhuri during the standoff. Bittu later accused the Punjab government of misusing state machinery and targeting BJP workers during the civic polls.

When asked whether the Punjab government would take action against Bittu, Arora said the matter would be decided by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Election Commission’s authority to conduct a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Arora said the AAP respects the court’s ruling. However, he reiterated the party’s concerns regarding the intention behind such exercises, alleging that the Election Commission was functioning in a manner favourable to the BJP.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the Election Commission’s power to conduct the revision exercise, stating that it supports the constitutional principle of free and fair elections.

The political clash between the AAP and BJP over the Dhuri incident has added fresh tension to Punjab’s post-poll atmosphere, with both parties accusing each other of misusing authority and undermining democratic norms.