By Sarat Paikray
Bhubaneswar: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has alleged that Lord Jagannath’s chariot during the Rath Yatra in Puri was deliberately halted on the Grand Road (Badadanda) to accommodate industrialist Gautam Adani. Speaking at a “Save the Constitution” rally held in Bhubaneswar today, Gandhi accused the BJP government of disgracing even Lord Jagannath for the sake of the businessman.
Notably, during this year’s famous Rath Yatra in Puri, Lord Jagannath’s chariot could not be pulled on the designated day. The pulling was completed the following day. On that day, Gautam Adani and his family were present in Puri and participated in pulling the chariot while offering prayers to Lord Jagannath. As per tradition, the chariot pulling should conclude on the day of the Rath Yatra. The delay sparked suspicion among devotees.
This led to allegations that both the state and central governments collaborated to postpone the chariot pulling just for Adani could take part. The Odisha Congress had earlier raised this issue in a press conference in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi’s statement has reignited the controversy.
He further alleged that Odisha is not being governed by the BJP, but by Adani, to whom the BJP government is selling off state-owned mines while working tirelessly around the clock to serve his interests. “This government is not yours—it’s Adani’s government,” Gandhi said. He accused the state government of looting Odisha’s resources and handing them over to industrialists.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed Rahul’s allegations, saying the BJP government stalled the Rath Yatra for Adani. He expressed sorrow over the deaths of three and injuries too many devotees during this year’s Rath Yatra, blaming the state government for prioritizing corporate interests. He urged the people of Odisha to out such a government.
Rahul Gandhi’s speech targeted both the state and central governments, reiterating that Odisha’s BJP-led administration is merely a front being run by Gautam Adani. His aggressive statements energized Congress workers at the rally.
