Over the last few days, I’ve watched how two similar by-election results in Punjab have been reported in two completely different ways. I want to place a few facts on record — for the people, for the party, and for the media. 1. Ludhiana: A Fight Against the State, Not Against Each Other In the Ludhiana by-election, the Congress lost by around 10,000 votes. But the campaign on the ground was not between parties — it was a fight against the entire state machinery. Police pressure Threats and intimidation Open misuse of government authority Administration working overtime to favour the ruling party I myself faced police high-handedness, clashes, detentions, and attempts to disrupt our campaign. Many workers were picked up and questioned simply for supporting Congress. Yet the only story that dominated headlines was: “Congress infighting.” Not a single channel discussed how the election was conducted or what we had to fight against. The focus shifted from governance to blaming Congress. 2. Tarn Taran: A United Congress Still Branded as the Problem Now look at the Tarn Taran by-poll. Here we had a completely united Congress, every leader on one platform, working together. Akali Dal was openly split — One candidate was a fugitive’s relative, Another Akali group polled almost 19,000 votes, Their vote was divided in full public view. The margin here too was similar: about 13,000 votes. But the national narrative today is: “Silver lining for Akali Dal.” The same media that blamed us for Ludhiana suddenly finds positivity in the Akali defeat. 3. Two Results. Two Margins. Two Opposite Narratives. Ludhiana loss: 10,000 votes → “Congress infighting.” Tarn Taran loss (Akalis): 13,000 votes → “Silver lining for Akalis.” This is not political analysis. This is narrative manufacturing. 4. My Simple Request Punjab Congress stood united in Tarn Taran. Workers gave their sweat and time. Leadership worked together. So I request everyone — inside the party and outside: - Do not blame Congress workers again for this defeat. - Do not repeat the easy headline of “infighting.” - Evaluate the ground realities honestly. -Ask why similar numbers are treated so differently by the media. 5. Our Responsibility Going Forward We must recognise how narratives are built around us — often unfairly — and counter them with truth and unity. We will fight the next battle together, and we will win it together. Punjab deserves fairness — in governance and in journalism.