Bhubaneswar: On Thursday, the Congress party initiated a year-long yatra in Odisha, starting from Malkangiri to Mayurbhanj, aimed at raising awareness about alleged electoral fraud and increasing incidents of violence against women during the BJP’s governance in the state. The march was launched by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das at Mugi point in Malkangiri district, which borders Chhattisgarh, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. The yatra is titled ‘Gandhi Pathe Odisha.’ On the inaugural day, the journey will proceed from Mugi point to Potere, passing through Motu in the district. Das noted that the march would last for two days, followed by a pause due to the upcoming bypoll for the Nuapada Assembly segment.
After the bypoll concludes, the yatra will continue, with plans to reach all 314 blocks in the state and inform the public about the BJP’s alleged vote theft and its negative stance towards women. At Mugi point, which is the meeting point of three rivers marking the boundary between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Das unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. He pointed out the lack of phone connectivity and development in the area, suggesting its potential as a tourist destination remains untapped. The Odisha Congress leader also criticized the previous BJD government for not halting the Polavaram project, which threatens to submerge multiple villages in Malkangiri district.
Additionally, he highlighted a troubling incident involving a girl who became pregnant at a state-run residential school in Chitrakonda, stating that dissatisfaction with the BJP government prevails among farmers, women, youths, and all community sectors, who are reportedly being exploited by the ruling party.
