Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on Friday. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation with immediate effect, according to an official communication issued by the President’s Secretariat.
The resignation comes weeks after Bittu’s term as a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan came to an end, bringing his ministerial tenure to a close under constitutional provisions.
President accepts resignation
An official statement from the President’s Secretariat confirmed that the resignation was accepted on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The communication stated that the President accepted the resignation of Ravneet Singh Bittu from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect under Clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India.
With this decision, Bittu is no longer a member of the Union government.
Constitutional rule behind the move
Bittu’s Rajya Sabha tenure from Rajasthan ended on June 21. Although he was not nominated again to the Upper House, he continued to serve as a Union Minister under a constitutional provision.
Article 75(5) of the Constitution allows a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament to remain a minister for a maximum period of six consecutive months. If the person does not become a member of Parliament within that period, they must leave the Council of Ministers.
His resignation follows this constitutional requirement.
BJP plans bigger role for Bittu in Punjab
According to BJP sources, Bittu is now expected to take up a more active political role in Punjab.
The party is preparing for future political campaigns and the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. Sources said his exit from the Union Council of Ministers is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the BJP’s efforts to expand its presence and challenge the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab.
The party reportedly wants Bittu to focus on organisational work and election-related activities in the state.