'Beant Singh Died The Day You Left Congress': Channi, BJP's Ravneet Bittu Face Off In Parliament

Congress's Channi also hit out at the Centre saying that there was "no difference between PM Modi-led government and British Raj except the skin colour".

The discussion on the Union Budget 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday escalated into a heated argument between former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and BJP MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu, which led to a brief adjournment of the Lower House. 

The Congress MP took a jibe at the Union Minister of State Bittu saying that his grandfather Beant Singh was a "martyr but he actually died the day you joined the BJP". 

Beant Singh was the former Congress Chief Minister, who was assassinated in a suicide bomb attack in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995.

However, Channi did not stop there and went on to take potshots at the Centre, comparing it with British Raj. He said that there was no difference between the British Raj and the present PM Modi-led government "except the skin colour". He also slammed the government for its "dictatorial attitude".

Responding to Channi's remarks, Bittu stood up to speak, saying he must answer his former party colleague.

"I have to respond because he took the name of my grandfather. My grandfather did not lay down his life for a party but for the country," he stated.

'Himmat Hai Toh Aaja': Congress MPs Challenge Bittu For Fight

He further said that he would change his name if Channi could prove that he was poor, alleging that the Congress MP has the most powerful resources and most money in Punjab to date.

The BJP leader also claimed that the former Punjab CM was an accused in a sexual harassment case.

In response to Channi's "skin colour" comment, Bittu replied saying, that his remarks suggested he was referring to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. He also asked the grand old party to prove which country she came to India from.

Following this, chaos ensued in the Lok Sabha with Punjab Congress MPs storming into the well and challenging Bittu to a fight.

"Himmat hai toh aaja (Come if you dare)," a Congress lawmaker said.

When Bittu tried to rush into the well, he was stopped by Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who asked him to calm down.

Bittu switched to BJP ahead of the April-June Lok Sabha polls. The former three-time Congress MP contested on a BJP ticket from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat. However, he lost to Congress’s Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Bittu was then inducted into PM Modi’s council of ministers as an MoS.

'Undeclared Emergency': Channi On Detention Of Amritpal Singh

In a separate row, Channi also flagged concerns over the incarceration of 'Waris Punjab De' Chief and Khadoor Sahib MP, Amtripal Singh.

Criticising the Centre over "undeclared Emergency," the Congress MP said: "They speak about Emergency every day. But what about the undeclared Emergency in the country today?...This too is Emergency that a man who was elected as an MP by 20 lakh people in Punjab is behind bars under the NSA. He is unable to present the views of the people of his constituency, here. This too is Emergency."

Following these remarks, BJP leader Giriraj Singh demanded clarification from Congress's top leadership, saying that it is "dangerous for India" that the party is "supporting Khalistan".

Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann was quick to distance himself from Channi's statement.

"I am not concerned for what Channi says. I am more concerned for Punjab’s law and order," he said.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also reacted to Channi's statement saying, "...A sense of terrorist-sympathiser has awoken inside Channi. He has the blessings of Congress. This is his desire for foreign funds, especially from Canada, given for terrorist activities...Action should be taken."

'Congress's DNA Is Coming Out': BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh

BJP national spokesperson RP Singh lashed out at Congress over the statement by the Congress MP saying that it is the "DNA of Congress that is coming out. It was Congress who raised Bhindranwale and divided Punjab through him and won elections later. Today, they are standing with Amritpal."

Alleging that the party Channi was trying to support someone who "tries to divide the nation", he added: "Since the election is going to be held in Punjab in 2027 and he (Charanjit Singh Channi) knows that they are going to lose the elections and hence they are supporting someone who tries to divide the nation. But what else he can do, this is his party line. "

He also asked Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify the party's stand on whether or not it stands with someone trying to divide the country.