Congress Prepares Major Barnala Rally with Rahul Gandhi to Launch Punjab Election Campaign
The Congress Party is gearing up for a significant political push in Punjab, with plans to organize a massive rally in Barnala on February 28. This event, to be addressed by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, aims to kick-start the party's campaigning for the upcoming state assembly elections. The preparations began on Thursday, with the rally scheduled to take place at the grain market in Barnala.
Strategic Appointments and Coordination Efforts
To ensure the rally's success, the party has appointed former MLA Hardyal Singh Kamboj as the in-charge for the Barnala district. He will coordinate closely with Barnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhillon and other party leaders. According to sources within the Congress, the party has been instructed to leave nothing to chance, emphasizing that this rally must launch the election campaign in a grand and impactful manner.
Detailed Preparations Across Assembly Segments
The Congress has directed its units in the three assembly segments of Barnala district—Barnala, Bhadaur, and Megha Kalan—to gear up for the event. These segments have been tasked with organizing elaborate meetings by February 21. The outcomes of these meetings must be reported to the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) on the same evening, allowing for further efforts to maximize attendance at the rally.
PPCC General Secretary (Organisation) Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu (retd) stated, "The party leaders have been assigned duties for the smooth conduct of the rally at Barnala on Feb 28." This underscores the organizational focus on ensuring a seamless and effective event.
Political Narrative and Internal Challenges
Congress sources reveal that the party is making all-out efforts to build a narrative against both the central and state governments, positioning itself as a viable alternative in Punjab. However, a significant challenge for the party high command is to unify all leaders and overcome vertical factionalism, ensuring everyone is on the same page ahead of the elections.
Competitive Political Landscape
The political arena in Punjab is heating up, with other parties also ramping up their campaigns. The Aam Aadmi Party has already initiated its campaign with a rally at Killi Chahlan in Moga on February 16. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party is planning a rally to be addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in early March, setting the stage for a competitive election season.
This Barnala rally represents a critical move by the Congress to assert its presence and mobilize support as Punjab heads toward a pivotal electoral battle.
