Rahul Gandhi Arrives in Barnala; Kharge Attacks Modi and Punjab Govt at ‘MGNREGA Bachao’ Rally

February 28, 2026

Barnala: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has arrived in Barnala, Punjab. Party national president Mallikarjun Kharge is also present with him. At the rally, Congress will target the central government on the issues of MNREGA and the India-US trade deal.

The rally is attended by Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Patiala MP Dharamvir Gandhi, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Aujla, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Sukhpal Khaira, and other leaders. This rally is also being considered the clarion call for Mission 2027.

Rahul Gandhi Raises Questions on Govt’s Handling of Chinese Incursion

Rahul Gandhi said that in his book, former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane wrote that Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory. He claimed the General tried contacting the Defence Minister, NSA, and External Affairs Minister but received no clear response initially.

According to Gandhi, only the Prime Minister can authorize military action, and the Defence Minister later told the Army to do “what is appropriate,” implying approval from the Prime Minister. Gandhi quoted the General as saying he felt he was “standing alone” during the situation and used this to question the government’s handling of the matter.

Kharge Attacks Narendra Modi and Punjab Govt Over Law and Order in Punjab

Mallikarjun Kharge attacks Punjab government and said some people put up Bhagat Singh’s photo, but they do not follow his principles. Modi takes Bhagat Singh’s name wherever he goes. He pays homage to him, but does the opposite. Similarly, he takes the name of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and others. But he works totally opposite to their principles. The message of social justice came from the land of Punjab. But today, so much bloodshed is taking place on this land. People are being killed. But the government here is silent. The government here is the B team of the BJP.

He said Pandit Nehru and Manmohan Singh did great things. But Modi ji keeps talking to us with his hand on his chest. Rahul Gandhi does what he says. In such a situation, it is our duty to support him. He moves with the pain and suffering of the people. You all have to support the man who protects the Constitution, protects democracy, and fights for the Dalits and farmers. Only then will this country survive.

Kharge calls AAP a B-team of Bhartiya Janata Party. He said that Punjab’s traders are receiving calls demanding money. In such a situation, uproot the BJP’s B-team to minimize our losses.

Rahul Gandhi is fighting for farmers and laborers: Raja Warring

Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Warring said that only Rahul Gandhi is fighting for farmers and labourers in the country. Today, the entire country understands that you (Rahul Gandhi) are the only one fighting for labourers and farmers. This is the capital of the Aam Aadmi Party, which won 92 seats in 2022. But given the current law and order situation and the drug menace, it is now necessary for the Congress Party to form a government in the state.

Rahul Gandhi lives in the heart of Punjab: Channi

Jalandhar MP and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi began his speech with “Punjabis wake up.” He then said, “We welcome you to Punjab. Rahul ji, you live in the heart of Punjab. You are fighting for Punjab, Sikhs, farmers, and laborers. Elections were held in 2024, but the BJP failed to win a single MP. Today, you have come to Punjab. I want to say, remove the evil eye from Punjab. Today, Punjab is in debt. The state is gripped by gangsterism and drugs.”

LoP Partap Bajwa Urges Rahul Gandhi to visit Punjab Every Month

He placed three key demands before Rahul Gandhi. First, he called for the resumption of regular recruitment in the Army when the Indian National Congress (INC) returns to power. Second, he urged the fair and effective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to safeguard rural employment. Third, he demanded a just and farmer-friendly agricultural policy to be implemented across the country.

Barnala’s Political Significance in Malwa Region

Strategically, Barnala lies in the politically significant Malwa region, which accounts for 69 Assembly seats and has a strong agricultural base. The Aam Aadmi Party is considered influential in this belt, though Congress recently won the Barnala by-election. Through this rally, Congress aims to consolidate support among farmers and laborers, especially in rural areas.

The rally has been titled the “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” or Farmer-Laborer Rally, reflecting the party’s focus on rural issues. Congress leaders have alleged that the central government is attempting to weaken or phase out MNREGA and that the India-US trade deal could negatively impact farmers. Rahul Gandhi is expected to criticize both the BJP-led central government and the AAP-led Punjab government. Party posters reportedly portray him as an MNREGA worker to strengthen his connection with the rural electorate.

Internal Party Unity Highlighted Amid Past Factionalism

The event is also being seen as a show of unity and organizational strength within the Punjab Congress, which has faced internal factionalism despite emerging as the largest party in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by winning seven out of 13 seats. The AAP secured three seats at that time. Although hopes were raised about greater unity after the results, internal divisions continued between factions led by Raja Warring and Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa on one side, and leaders such as Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Randhawa on the other.

Massive Crowd and Transportation Arrangements Expected

With an estimated crowd of around 50,000 people expected and arrangements reportedly made for nearly 1,000 buses, the Barnala rally is being positioned as both a political mobilization exercise and a strategic attempt to strengthen Congress’ base in rural Punjab while challenging both the BJP and the AAP ahead of 2027.