Bhubaneswar, July 11: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday attended the “Sambidhan Banchao” (Save the Constitution) rally in Bhubaneswar and demanded urgent development initiatives in Odisha.

Addressing the rally, the Congress leader launched a scathing attack on both the central and Odisha governments, alleging that tribal rights to water, forest, and land are systematically violated.  He claimed that marginalized communities are being deprived of their constitutional protections.

Gandhi emphasized the state's developmental lag, stating that Odisha still requires focused efforts to uplift its tribal populations, farmers, and women. “No one can rob Adivasis of their rights to water, forest, and land. It’s a constitutional promise, not a government favour,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP countered the Congress leader’s claims, stating that the rally was not about saving the Constitution but rather about saving the Congress party itself. BJP leaders argued that Gandhi’s visit would make little political impact and pointed to Congress's declining popularity in the state and across the country.