Rahul Gandhi to visit Odisha July 11
During his visit, he is likely to attend a massive public rally at the Baramunda Ground in Bhubaneswar. The event is expected to witness participation from thousands of party workers, supporters, and members of the general public. The rally will focus on raising awareness about what the Congress party claims are increasing threats to the Indian Constitution, democratic values, and institutions under the current government.
Party sources revealed that Gandhi will address the gathering and emphasize the need to uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including secularism, justice, equality, and freedom. Senior Congress leaders from Odisha, including Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Sarat Pattanayak, are overseeing the preparations for the event and have urged people to attend in large numbers.
The ‘Save the Constitution’ campaign has already been launched in several states, and Odisha is considered a significant stop in this effort. Gandhi’s visit is expected to energize the party’s cadre in the state ahead of future political battles.
1. High-Profile Participation in Bhubaneswar Rally
The visit marks his first to the state since the 2024 general elections and comes at a politically crucial time. As per official confirmation from party leaders, the public rally will be held at the Baramunda Ground in Bhubaneswar, a venue expected to host a massive gathering of party workers, supporters, and concerned citizens.
The event will see high-level participation, with All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal also scheduled to attend the rally alongside Rahul Gandhi. Their presence underscores the importance the party is placing on Odisha as a significant battleground in its effort to revive national attention toward the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Charan Das confirmed the lineup during a media interaction on Tuesday. According to him, the rally is designed to resonate not just with Congress loyalists but also with every citizen who feels concerned about the erosion of constitutional values under the current political regime.
2. Internal Strategy and Mass Mobilisation Efforts
In the run-up to Rahul Gandhi’s visit, the Congress party has shifted into high gear to ensure the event’s success. An expanded meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the state Congress was convened at the Congress Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, where senior leaders and political strategists gathered to chalk out an elaborate plan for the rally.
During the meeting, detailed logistical discussions were held, including transportation arrangements, security protocols, volunteer responsibilities, crowd management, and public outreach strategies. The leaders agreed on the need for mass mobilisation across districts, encouraging local units to coordinate effectively to ensure maximum turnout at the Baramunda Ground.
State Congress leaders believe that the rally’s impact will extend far beyond the state capital. “This campaign is not just symbolic; it is a critical stand to protect democracy, constitutional freedoms, and the rights of the marginalized,” said one senior strategist. Leaders from western, coastal, and tribal-dominated regions of Odisha have been tasked with mobilising public sentiment through door-to-door campaigns, social media outreach, and local meetings.
The Congress campaign is also aiming to connect with the youth, women, Dalits, Adivasis, and farmers—groups the party claims have suffered disproportionately under the governance of the BJP-led administrations at both the state and national levels. Several cultural and awareness programs are also being planned in the lead-up to the rally.
3. Criticism of State Government and Focus on Social Issues
Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Odisha comes against the backdrop of repeated criticisms of the state BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Over the past year, Gandhi has taken strong positions on a number of issues, particularly alleged rising atrocities against women and Dalits, which he says reflect deeper failures in the state’s administrative and law enforcement systems.
The stampede tragically resulted in the deaths of three pilgrims and left over 50 others injured. Rahul Gandhi condemned the state government’s “gross mismanagement” and questioned its preparedness for handling such large-scale religious events. He described the incident as a “preventable tragedy” that reflects the government’s lack of foresight and planning.
The state government has since announced a formal probe, with Chief Minister Majhi directing officials to submit an inquiry report within 30 days. However, Congress leaders are not satisfied, alleging that systemic lapses and political negligence were at the core of the incident.
Senior Congress leaders have also flagged recent reports of sexual violence in different districts of Odisha, stating that the administration has failed to deliver justice to the victims. The ‘Save the Constitution’ rally is expected to spotlight these issues, linking them to broader concerns about the erosion of democratic accountability, freedom of speech, and public safety.
Apart from domestic issues, the rally will emphasize national concerns, including alleged misuse of investigative agencies, weakening of federal structures, and suppression of dissent. Rahul Gandhi is expected to drive home the message that saving the Constitution is not a partisan agenda but a national necessity.
Conclusion:
The upcoming rally on July 11 is poised to be one of the largest political gatherings in Odisha this year, with Rahul Gandhi’s presence injecting new energy into the Congress’s organizational machinery. As political narratives heat up post-2024, the ‘Save the Constitution’ campaign is being positioned as a cornerstone of the Congress party’s ideological resurgence—and Odisha is at the center of that message.