Rahul Gandhi in Punjab’s Barnala rally warns Congress leaders to team up or sit at home

Issuing a stern warning to end factionalism in the state unit of the Congress, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, from the stage of the party’s MGNREGA Bachao Sangram Rally on Saturday, urged party leaders to work as a team or be prepared to “sit at home”.

In a clear warning to warring factions, Rahul said, “I want to give a message to Congress leaders. Work is done through teamwork. No single player wins (a match). You are all senior leaders sitting here. Become team players or we will make you sit at home. This is my message and Kharge ji’s message. Respect workers —they are our real strength.”

Rahul further said, “I love Punjab and its people. If I write a book, I will tell you in depth.”

Notably, all senior leaders, including sitting MPs and MLAs, were present on the stage and kept looking at Rahul when he said these words.

Earlier, whenever former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s name was mentioned, the public cheered. The same response was seen when Channi addressed the gathering and later when Kharge and Rahul referred to him in their speeches.

In his 30-minute speech, Rahul kept his focus largely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, targeting him over the scrapping of the MGNREGA scheme and the India-US trade deal.

He alleged that the trade deal would “ruin” farmers and small industries, warning that a “storm is coming” if agricultural imports from the US flood Indian markets.

Arriving at 1.08 pm in a white T-shirt and olive trousers, Rahul shared the stage with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal. Cutouts of Rahul, including those showing him in a turban, dotted the venue. He was hailed as a “Babbar Sher neta”.

Beginning his address at 1.55 pm with “Sat Sri Akal”, Rahul said Punjab’s farmers and labourers formed the foundation of the country. Citing former Army Chief Gen MM Naravane’s book, he questioned the Prime Minister’s handling of the China border situation. He further alleged that under pressure, the Prime Minister had agreed to terms favouring the US.

Claiming that India had promised to buy American goods worth Rs 9 lakh crore per annum, Rahul said small farmers owning 2-5 acres could not compete with highly mechanised US agribusinesses.

“Soyabean, cotton, pulses, fruits — when these arrive, a storm will hit,” he said, alleging that farmers and MSMEs had been compromised.

He also accused the Centre of shielding industrialist Gautam Adani and claimed that international pressures had influenced policy decisions. Referring to drug abuse and security, he said if Punjab was safe, the country would be safe.

Kharge also addressed the gathering, raising issues concerning labourers, farmers and traders. He accused both the state and Central governments of failing to curb the drug menace.

PCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi were among those who addressed the public.

The hoardings installed on the stage displayed photos of only Rahul and Kharge, along with the slogan "MGNREGA Mazdoor, Kisan Bachao".