Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a rally in Bhubaneswar, alleging that the Congress party’s recent campaign to “Save the Constitution” is nothing more than a political spectacle aimed at reviving the party’s dwindling popularity.
“Political Tourism, Not Constitutional Concern”: Pradhan
In a pointed post on [X] (formerly Twitter), Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of using Odisha as a stop for political tourism, rather than truly advocating for constitutional values. He claimed their public campaign was designed more to restore personal and party image than to protect democratic principles.
Congress Has No Ground in Odisha, Says Minister
Highlighting the Congress party’s weakened presence in the state, Pradhan stated that the people of Odisha—particularly the Dalits, tribals, farmers, and labourers—have long rejected Congress. He dismissed Gandhi’s rhetoric about safeguarding marginalised communities as hollow, arguing that such promises are only made when the Congress is in opposition.
“The people of Odisha trust the BJP because they’ve seen our sincerity and work. That’s what rattles the Congress,” Pradhan said during the rally.
Allegations of Vote Theft Are Congress’s Excuse for Losses
Taking aim at Rahul Gandhi’s accusations of election manipulation, Pradhan ridiculed the claims as desperate and unfounded. “Gandhi blames democratic institutions like the Election Commission when he loses—just like blaming the stage for not knowing how to dance,” he quipped.
With the Bihar Assembly elections on the horizon, Pradhan accused Congress of pre-emptively spinning a narrative of vote theft to justify what he predicted would be yet another electoral defeat.
Emergency Reference: Congress Accused of Past Authoritarianism
Pradhan didn’t shy away from drawing historical parallels. He brought up the 1975 Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as evidence of Congress’s past assault on democracy. He labelled the current “Save the Constitution” campaign as hypocritical, arguing that Congress has historically undermined the very principles it now claims to uphold.
Congress Accused of Vote Bank Politics and Misuse of Funds
The BJP minister also alleged that under past Congress rule, funds from the central government were misappropriated through corrupt middlemen, failing to reach the poor. He contrasted this with the BJP government’s focus on the upliftment of marginalised communities through transparent governance.
Polarised Politics Deepens in Odisha
As BJP and Congress continue to clash in Odisha’s political landscape, Pradhan portrayed his party as the flag-bearer of performance-driven governance, while accusing Congress of manipulating constitutional language to regain relevance. The growing rhetoric, as seen in this war of words, highlights the sharp ideological divide between the two national parties in the state.
“The people of Odisha—and India—are now aware of the Congress’s deception,” Pradhan concluded, expressing confidence that voters will continue to back the BJP in future elections.