In a fiery defense of Rahul Gandhi amid escalating tensions with Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has questioned the outrage over calling a ‘traitor’ a traitor. The confrontation unfolded in the Parliament premises, where Gandhi reportedly told Bittu, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll come back,’ while labeling him a traitor. Bittu countered by accusing Gandhi of attempting to attack him.
Warring dismissed Bittu’s claims as baseless, emphasizing that Gandhi’s words were directed solely at Bittu, not the Sikh community or Sardars at large. ‘Rahul Gandhi did not insult Sardars; he spoke directly to Bittu,’ Warring asserted. He reminded everyone of Bittu’s past admiration for Gandhi, noting videos where Bittu credited Gandhi for inspiring him to wear a turban—a tradition Bittu reportedly did not follow earlier.
Highlighting the Congress party’s role in Bittu’s rise, Warring pointed out that Gandhi personally intervened to secure tickets for Bittu in three Lok Sabha elections. Initially from Ambika Soni’s constituency, Bittu was shifted to Ludhiana when prospects dimmed. ‘Everything Bittu has today is because of Rahul Gandhi and Congress,’ Warring said, slamming Bittu for forgetting these favors now that he’s in power.
The spat also touched on the suspension of eight Congress MPs, including Warring, for protesting Gandhi’s silencing in Parliament. Warring described a peaceful demonstration that Gandhi joined, only for Bittu to mock them with references to the Kargil war. Gandhi’s retort, ‘Namaste, my friend, traitor,’ was, in Warring’s view, hardly criminal.
As political lines harden, this exchange underscores deep rifts within Punjab politics, with loyalties shifting and old alliances fracturing under the weight of power dynamics. Congress continues to rally behind Gandhi, portraying Bittu as ungrateful, while the BJP camp cries foul over alleged insults.