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Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, during his address at the Samvidhan Bachao rally in Bhubaneswar, launched a scathing attack on both the Odisha state government and the BJP-led central government, accusing them of corruption, suppression, and betrayal of public trust.
Coming down heavily, Gandhi on Friday alleged that successive governments in Odisha, first the BJD and now the current regime, have ‘stolen from the people’ and snatched away their rights.
“This is not the government of the people. It’s a government of 5-6 billionaires like Adani. They steal your land, your forests, your future,” Gandhi said.
Accusing the BJP of attacking the Constitution and democratic institutions, Rahul Gandhi said, “The BJP is engaged in a systematic assault on the Constitution. The fight to protect it can only be won with the support of the people.”
Citing examples of alleged voter fraud, Gandhi claimed that voter lists were manipulated in Maharashtra and similar plans were underway in Bihar.
“Just like voter list theft happened in Maharashtra, the same is happening in Bihar,” he said, warning Odisha to stay vigilant.
The Congress MP also raised the sensitive issue of land rights and tribal displacement. He claimed the jal, jungle, zameen (water, forest, and land) rightfully belong to Adivasis, but these are being taken away without implementing the PESA Act.
“Without enforcing PESA, tribals are being evicted. This is a grave injustice,” he said.
Adding to the controversy, Gandhi claimed that the Rath Yatra was halted for industrialist Adani’s family, a symbolic move, he suggested, that reveals the extent of corporate control over the state machinery.
“A drama unfolded during Rath Yatra. The chariot was stopped for Adani’s family. This says everything about Odisha's government,” he remarked.
Gandhi further alleged a serious women’s safety crisis in the state, claiming over 40,000 women have gone missing in Odisha. “Fifteen women are raped here every day, yet the government remains silent. Why?” he asked.
Highlighting the issue of caste census, Rahul noted, “We implemented caste census in Telangana, and it brought good results. But in Odisha, backward classes remain neglected.”
Rahul Gandhi said he has asked Congress leader Bhakta Das to mobilise public awareness on the importance of caste-based data. He also touched upon the ongoing driver’s strike in Odisha, thanking members of the Odisha Drivers’ Association for facilitating the success of his rally, despite government pressure.
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“The BJP government tried to intimidate them, but they stood firm. I thank them. Their demands must be fulfilled,” he stated.
Reacting to Gandhi’s remarks, BJP MP Pradeep Purohit said, “BJP is the only party genuinely working for the Dalit and tribal communities. Rahul Gandhi is saying such things only because he is in the Opposition. Farmers in Odisha are happy. Women are getting benefitted from the Subhadra Yojana. Senior citizens aged 80 and above are receiving a monthly pension of Rs 3,500. People across the state are satisfied, as the Mohan Majhi government has launched several welfare schemes.”
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan refuted Rahul's allegation that the chariot was stopped for Adani’s family by terming it as baseless.
"Adani visited Puri to have darshan of Lord Jagannath on the next day of Rath Yatra. The claim by Congress and BJD that the chariot was stopped for Adani is baseless. The chariots generally reach the Gundicha temple on the second day. As the chariots were pulled by the police and the servitors only during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was conducted in a disciplined manner, and the chariots reached the Gundicha temple on the same day only once. Hence, the claim by the political people is only reflecting their foolishness, and it should not be done," said Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
