The Congress on Saturday sounded the bugle for the next Punjab Assembly elections at its ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ rally held at the Barnala grain market, with Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi issuing a stern warning to feuding state leaders to work as a team or be prepared to sit at home.Just before concluding his 30-minute address, Rahul said, “I want to send a message to the Congress leadership. Work gets done through teamwork. A single player cannot win a game. We have a full team sitting here. I want to give all of you a message from my side and from (Congress president Mallikarjun) Khargeji–become team players, or we will make you sit in the reserves. No matter how big you are, no one is bigger than the party.”The former Congress president reiterated that discipline and unity were non-negotiable. “If you don’t become team players, Khargeji and I will set things right. All senior leaders sitting here must remember that our real strength lies in our party workers. They are our true strength. Whatever happens in Punjab will happen only by respecting them, involving them and taking them along,” he said.Several senior leaders, including MPs and MLAs, seated on the stage were seen looking towards Rahul when he made the remarks. The warning appeared to energise the already charged audience, who responded with loud applause and hooting.Interestingly, the crowd also cheered and raised slogans whenever former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s name was mentioned, drawing the attention of all those present. Similar enthusiasm was witnessed when Channi addressed the gathering and later when Kharge and Rahul referred to him in their speeches.Commenting on the episode, a senior Congress leader said, “Rahul seemed displeased over the sloganeering at the mention of a particular leader. His message was clear that no one is above the party, which was appreciated by all.”Striking an emotional chord, Rahul described Punjab as the strength of the Congress and the nation. “I always enjoy coming to Punjab as it reminds me of India’s real foundation and strength…. You are our protectors. I love the people of Punjab. I have deep affection and regard for you. If I ever write a book, I will describe in detail the bond I share with Punjab and its people,” he said.Rahul attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly signing the India-US trade deal “under pressure”. Claiming the trade deal would “ruin farmers, labourers and MSMEs”, he said small farmers owning 2-5 acres would not be able to compete with the highly mechanised US agribusinesses. “When soybean, cotton, pulses and fruits arrive from the US, a storm will hit our growers.… It is a death warrant for farmers and MSMEs,” he said.Rahul began his speech with “Sat Sri Akal” and described farmers and labourers as the foundation of the country. He said Punjab had led the Green Revolution and ensured India’s food security.In his address, Kharge urged the people to vote for the Congress to ensure Punjab remained “strong under a stable government”. “I urge you to uproot the AAP government, which is the BJP’s ‘B team’, and also remove the Modi government at the Centre,” he said.Invoking Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Guru Nanak, he said Punjab’s land symbolised social justice and unity, but that the present state government had “failed on law and order front and on the issue of drugs”.Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring appealed to the public to bring the party back to power in the state. Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa urged Rahul to visit the state every month to strengthen the organisation. Channi highlighted the achievements of his government during its brief tenure. AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, party’s Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and co-in-charge Ravindra Dalvi also attended the rally.