Rahul Gandhi slams Odisha BJP govt, accuses it of favouring billionaires over the poor

Bhubaneswar, July 11: During a massive public rally titled ‘Save Constitution’ at Baramunda Ground in Bhubaneswar on Friday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp critique against the BJP-led government in Odisha, alleging that it is serving the interests of a few billionaire industrialists while neglecting the poor and marginalized.

Addressing the crowd alongside Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that Odisha is effectively being governed by business tycoon Gautam Adani, ever since the BJP took power in the state. “You will find Adani’s posters everywhere in Odisha. It looks as though he is the one running the state,” Rahul alleged.

Gandhi accused both the current BJP government and the previous BJD regime of handing over Odisha’s natural wealth—land, water, and forests—to a handful of private corporations, depriving tribal communities of their rightful ownership.

Referring to the recent Ratha Yatra in Puri, he claimed the sacred event was disrupted due to alleged interference by an Adani-owned company. He also raised concerns over the safety of women in the state, asserting that more than 40,000 women have gone missing and that incidents of sexual violence are being ignored by the government.

On the issue of unemployment, Rahul questioned the state government’s performance, asking how many jobs it has created for Odisha’s youth. “The Constitution is meant to protect the rights of the poor, farmers, and backward communities—not just billionaires like Ambani and Adani,” he said, while praising Congress workers as ‘Babbar Sher’ (brave lions).

He further alleged that the BJP is attempting to weaken the Constitution across the country, citing similar efforts in Bihar and now in Odisha. He demanded that a caste-based census, similar to the one conducted in Telangana under Congress rule, be implemented in Odisha to ensure fair representation.

Rahul also addressed the recent statewide transport strike, alleging that the BJP pressured driver unions to disrupt the Congress rally. However, he appreciated the drivers for pausing their agitation and urged the government to resolve their genuine demands.