Bhubaneswar, Feb 7: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on the second day of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Odisha, continued to target both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), alleging a partnership between them. He emphasized that the Congress party is the only one opposing this alliance for the benefit of the people of Odisha.
During a gathering at Rourkela-Panposh Square, Gandhi criticized the BJP and RSS for spreading commual hatred in society, stating that it affects the entire country. He expressed his intention to counter this by promoting love in a market filled with hatred.
Gandhi accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having a partnership, both in the state and at the national level. He alleged that whenever Modi needs support in Parliament, BJD members harass the Congress on his instructions. Gandhi reiterated that only the Congress was standing against the BJD-BJP alliance in Odisha.
Highlighting issues faced by the people of Odisha, Gandhi mentioned the migration of around 30 lakh individuals from the state due to lack of opportunities. He criticized the government for neglecting tribals and Dalits, who form a significant part of the population.
Gandhi also addressed unemployment as a major concern in Odisha, attributing it to the malfunctioning of industries. He pledged to spend hours listening to the people's grievances and to speak briefly in comparison.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra commenced in Odisha's steel city, Rourkela, with Gandhi offering prayers at the Vedvyas Shiv temple. The journey started in the morning with a 3.4-kilometer padayatra from Uditnagar to Panposh Chhak at Raurkela.
After the lunch break, Rahul Gandhi resumed his Yatra and addressed the gathering at Kutra and Baragaon.