BJP Looting Land, Forest, Water: Rahul Gandhi At ‘Save Constitution’ Rally In Odisha

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the BJP of launching an attack on the Constitution of India. He said the Constitution protects Dalits, tribals, and the poor, and the BJP is trying to dismantle those protections.

Speaking at the ‘Samvidhan Bachao Samavesh’ rally in Odisha, Gandhi said the state government is looting land, forest, and water from tribals. He claimed the government is not giving them proper compensation.

According to him, this amounts to a direct assault on the rights of the poor, farmers, and labourers.

Gandhi added that the Constitution makes it clear that India belongs to all, not just a few billionaires. He alleged that farmers in Odisha are not receiving payments under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana after natural disasters.

Rahul Gandhi insisted that development must serve the common people, not just the top 3% of the population.

Furthermore, Rahul Gandhi criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. He said the ECI is helping the BJP hijack the elections, just like in Maharashtra.

He alleged that the ECI is adding fake voters and not sharing the voter list or videography with opposition parties.

Gandhi stated that one lakh new voters were added in Maharashtra without proper verification. He accused the ECI of acting like an arm of the BJP. He warned that the INDIA bloc will not allow election theft in Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi promises tribal rights, caste census in Odisha

Later in the speech, Gandhi attacked the BJP-led state government for giving away Odisha’s resources to a few corporate houses. He said tribals are being evicted from their land without their consent.

He promised to implement the PESA Act in Odisha if Congress comes to power.

Gandhi also raised concerns over rising crimes against women. He claimed that more than 40,000 women are missing in Odisha and that 15 women are raped daily. He blamed the state government for its silence and inaction.

Meanwhile, Gandhi praised the caste census conducted in Telangana. He said it helped assess the real numbers and economic status of SCs, STs, and Backward Castes.

Rahul Gandhi demanded a similar caste census in Odisha to ensure equal participation in governance and development.

Finally, Gandhi thanked the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha for supporting the rally. He urged the state government to accept the genuine demands of the drivers, who have been protesting for four days.

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