New Delhi: The Congress has entrusted Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu to temporarily function as the leader of the grand old party in the Lok Sabha for the remaining part of the Budget Session of Parliament in place of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
Congress in an official statement said that parliamentary duties and responsibilities of Adhir Ranjan Choudhary were handed over to the Chief Whip K. Suresh. "Since, Shri K. Suresh, the Chief Whip will be away for Election-related responsibilities in Kerala, the duties are performed by the Whip Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu," the grand old party said.
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The appointment of Bittu also assumes significance as Congress’ deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, is too busy campaigning for the party in poll-bound Assam.
Who Is Ravneet Singh Bittu?
Bittu, the three-time MP from Ludhiana, is the grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh who was assassinated in 1995.
He is presently the Congress’ whip in the Lok Sabha. Bittu will discharge the role of Congress leader for the ongoing budget session of parliament.
Bittu won the 2009, 2014 and 2019 Indian general election being an Indian National Congress candidate. In January 2021, he made news following an alleged assault.
Congress Adamant on Discussion on Farmers’ Bill:
The Congress, which has been stalling both houses of the Parliament since the beginning of the second part of the Budget Session from March 8, would look to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in the remaining part of the session too as they have been adamant on their demands for a discussion on the ongoing protests against the three farm laws enacted by the ruling dispensation at the Centre besides the rising fuel prices.