Chandigarh, February 16 The Congress will hold a rally in Punjab to protest the India-US trade deal, and Rahul Gandhi will be present, said senior party leader Bhupesh Baghel here on Monday evening.
Baghel said the rally is expected to be held either on February 28 or March 1.
He said Rahul has been opposing the India-US trade deal in both the Lok Sabha and outside, and that he has already been raising issues related to farmers.
"The fight over this issue (the India-US trade deal) will begin in Punjab. A large rally will be held, and Rahul ji and other party leaders will be present," said Baghel.
In response to a question about Union Home Minister Amit Shah asking Gandhi to debate the issue, Baghel said, "Amit Shah wants to hold a debate. We will be there. The farmers will also be there. You decide the time and place."
Rahul has been attacking the BJP-led government and accusing it of selling out through the India-US trade deal. On Sunday, he posed a series of questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that "we are witnessing a betrayal" of the country's farmers.
In response to a question, Baghel said that decisions on ticket distribution and the appointment of the Congress legislature party leader are the prerogative of the party high command.
Baghel said that importance would be given to youth and women when distributing party tickets.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said that during the meetings held on Monday, discussions on various issues including agitation programmes, how to further strengthen the organization, and how to form the Congress government in Punjab, took place.
"You will see how the Congress will raise people's issues, whether it's law and order, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, or the India-US trade deal," said Warring.
The Congress held a series of meetings on Monday at the Congress Bhavan here, with different office bearers including the party's district presidents, MLAs, contesting candidates, and others, to plan the future course of action in the wake of the 2027 assembly polls.
The meetings were presided over by the Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, and attended by several other senior leaders.
