Cong poll push: RaGa to interact with MGNREGA workers in Barnala tomorrow

Bathinda: The Congress is all set to shift into election mode, with Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi arriving in Barnala on Saturday to take part in the party's MGNREGA Bachao Sangram.The Congress leader's visit to Punjab comes ahead of BJP's ‘Badlav Rally', to be addressed by Union home minister Amit Shah in Moga on March 14. The Congress is leaving nothing to chance to make the Rahul Gandhi rally a success. "If AAP loses power, it (Congress) is the biggest contender to gain power, and for that we want a push from the party high command. Rahul Gandhi has sided with various sections of society, including MGNREGA workers, and has taken on PM Narendra Modi-led central govt like a fearless warrior. The rally by him will prove to be a turning point in bringing the entire party under an umbrella," said the Congress MLA from Barnala, Kuldeep Singh Dhillon.The political push comes nearly two weeks after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann sounded the poll bugle by addressing an anti-drug rally at Killi Chahlan village in Moga on Feb 16. Dhillon said Rahul will visit the Barnala grain market, where he will interact with MGNREGA workers. Congress functionaries and workers from Punjab's Malwa region are also expected to attend the event at the grain market. Dhillon claimed that the party is expecting a crowd of at least 50,000.Two days after Shah's rally, AAP will complete four years in power in Punjab on March 16. AAP is set to start various public welfare schemes, including a Rs 1,000 per month cash incentive to women and a tax-free budget on March 8.