Dharmendra Pradhan Targets Congress Rally In Odisha, Calls It 'Political Tourism'
Key Points
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan calls Congress rally a political stunt to revive party image.
Pradhan accuses Congress of historical neglect of poor and tribal rights.
Bhubaneswar, July 11: Senior BJP leader and Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge following their participation in the ‘Samvidhan Bachao Samavesh’ (Save the Constitution rally) held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
In a post on X, Pradhan dismissed the rally as a political stunt, calling it “another episode of political tourism” by the Congress “prince.”
राहुल गांधी और कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष मल्लिकार्जुन खड़गे जी द्वारा भुवनेश्वर, ओडिशा में आयोजित संविधान बचाओ रैली दरअसल कांग्रेस के शहज़ादे का एक और राजनीतिक पर्यटन था। यह ‘संविधान बचाओ’ नहीं बल्कि ‘ राहुल गांधी और कांग्रेस बचाओ’ समावेश है। ओडिशा में भाजपा की जनहितैषी सरकार के प्रति…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 11, 2025
The Union Ministter asserted that the rally was not about saving the Constitution but rather an attempt to salvage the dwindling fortunes of the Congress party. He claimed that the people of Odisha have long rejected Congress, especially the poor, Dalits, tribals, farmers, and labourers, and accused the grand old party of exploiting these communities for vote-bank politics.
Highlighting Congress’ alleged history of ignoring the rights of marginalized groups, Pradhan said that funds sent from Delhi were often siphoned off by middlemen, and benefits meant for SC, ST, and OBC communities were diverted. He argued that tribal land and poor people's rights are only secure when Congress is out of power.
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✨Pradhan also criticized Congress’ response to recent electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana, accusing the party of blaming democratic institutions and the Election Commission. He reminded the public of the Emergency imposed by Congress in 1975, calling it the party’s darkest hour in terms of constitutional violations.
Mocking Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, Pradhan likened his situation to the Hindi proverb “Naach na jaane, aangan tedha”—implying that Congress blames external factors for its internal failures. He concluded by saying that the people of Odisha and India have grown wise to Congress’s tactics and will continue to reject such “anti-people and anti-Constitution” forces in future elections.
Notably, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, at the Bhubaneswar rally, accused the BJP of undermining the Indian Constitution, which he said safeguards Dalits, tribals, and the poor. He claimed the ruling party's actions threaten the rights and protections guaranteed to vulnerable communities across the nation.