Photo Source: ANI
“Team Player Bano Nahi Toh Reserve Mein Bithadunga": Rahul Gandhi’s stern warning to Punjab Congress leaders
Babushahi Bureau
Barnala (Punjab), February 28, 2026: Sending a clear and loud message to the faction-ridden state unit, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today asserted that indiscipline and individual egos would no longer be tolerated in the Punjab Congress.
Addressing a massive ‘Kisan Mazdoor’ rally at the Barnala Grain Market, Gandhi delivered a "two-word" ultimatum to the state leadership: Bee Team Player, Perform as a team or make way for others.
Party Above Individuals
In a speech that focused heavily on internal unity ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls, Gandhi took a direct swipe at leaders who prioritize personal ambition over the party's collective interest.
"Let me be very clear—no leader, no matter how tall they think they are, is bigger than the Congress party," Gandhi said, amidst thunderous applause. He warned that those failing to work together would be sidelined: "If you aren't a team player, I will have no hesitation in putting you in the reserves (on the bench)."
The Formula for Victory: Teamwork
Emphasizing that the days of "solo battles" are over, the Leader of the Opposition stated that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP can only be defeated if the Congress presents a united front.
- Collective Leadership: He noted that no single leader can win Punjab alone. It requires the combined sweat and effort of every worker and leader.
- Direct Message to Punjab: The "straight talk" is being seen as an attempt to quell the ongoing bickering between various senior factions in the state unit that has often played out in the media.
Focus on Farmers and Workers
Beyond internal politics, Gandhi used the Barnala platform—a traditional stronghold of farmer movements—to attack the Central Government’s policies. He claimed that the recent Indo-US trade deals and the weakening of MGNREGA were "death warrants" for the agrarian economy of Punjab.
"Punjab is the foundation of India’s food security. If the farmer and the laborer are weakened by Delhi’s policies, the nation cannot stand strong," he added.
The Road Ahead
The rally, organized under the leadership of PPCC Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, is being viewed as the official launch of the Congress party's campaign to reclaim Punjab. By choosing Barnala, the party aimed to signal its growing influence in the Malwa belt, where it recently saw success in local by-polls.
The message from the stage was clear: The High Command is watching, and the "bench" is ready for anyone who disrupts the party's momentum.