Clash Between Ravneet Singh Bittu and Rahul Gandhi in Parliament

Overview of the Incident

NEW DELHI: Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu recently responded to a heated exchange with Rahul Gandhi following the latter’s "traitor" accusation during a parliamentary session earlier this week. According to Bittu, the Leader of the Opposition became so agitated that fellow Congress members had to intervene to restrain him.

Bittu Describes the Encounter

Bittu recounted that he was on his way to Parliament when Rahul approached him in a visibly "angry" state. He likened the experience to encountering someone who considers themselves a ‘shahanshah’ (emperor), suggesting an air of superiority.

Support from Congress Colleagues

As the situation escalated, Bittu remarked that Congress leaders K C Venugopal and Sukhjinder Randhawa had to physically hold Rahul back. “He became so violent; only God knows what was going through his mind,” Bittu stated.

Context of the Confrontation

This incident unfolded outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar, the primary entrance for MPs accessing the new Parliament building. During the altercation, Rahul was seen with suspended Congress MPs from Punjab, who were protesting on the steps. He directed a comment at Bittu, saying, “Here is a traitor walking right by. Look at the face,” before offering a handshake.

Bittu’s Political Journey

In his response, Bittu clarified that he had not abandoned the Congress party midway through his tenure. He confirmed that he completed his third term as a Congress MP before joining the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Currently, he serves as a Rajya Sabha MP and was appointed as a minister during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in office.