Ravneet Bittu's rising clout, BJP MP to accompany PM Modi on flood survey in Punjab, Himachal

In a significant political signal, Union Minister of State for Railways and senior Punjab BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu will accompany Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday on his visit to flood-hit areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

The development is being seen as a indication of Bittu's growing importance within the BJP — potentially even surpassing the stature of state party president Sunil Jakhar.

BJP insiders say Bittu would also be part of a key meeting with Punjab government officials in Gurdaspur later this evening to assess the flood situation and discuss coordinated relief efforts.

The Prime Minister and Bittu are expected to leave for the flood-affected areas immediately after casting their votes in the Vice Presidential election.

What makes this visit politically notable is that Bittu would be the only Punjab-based BJP minister accompanying the Prime Minister, a role traditionally reserved for either state presidents or top-tier leaders.

His inclusion, sources say, underscores the BJP’s confidence in him as a prominent Sikh face in Punjab, a state where the party is keen to expand its presence.

Earlier, Bittu had joined Jakhar and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan during a two-day visit to Punjab. Visuals from the trip showed Chauhan riding a tractor, with both Jakhar and Bittu taking turns driving — a move seen as outreach to the state’s influential farming community.

With this latest development, political observers believe Bittu is fast emerging as the BJP's go-to face in Punjab, one that blends grassroots presence with national visibility.