President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries George Kurian with immediate effect, following the end of his Rajya Sabha term on Sunday. Kurian had not been re-nominated to the Upper House.
A communication from Rashtrapati Bhavan stated: "The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of George Kurian from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution."
Ravneet Bittu's Status Uncertain
Attention now turns to Ravneet Bittu, whose Rajya Sabha term also ended on Sunday. Bittu represented Rajasthan in the Upper House, and his term concluded on June 21. He has not been re-nominated, raising questions about whether he will resign.
Under the law, a minister can remain in office without being a member of Parliament for up to six months after the expiry of their term. However, Bittu would need to be re-nominated within that period to continue as a minister.
Political Implications for Punjab
Punjab is scheduled to go to polls in 2027, and Bittu is a prominent Jat Sikh leader from the state. His political future and potential continuation as a minister are closely watched, as the government may ask him to stay on temporarily.
