BJP Slams Congress’s ‘Sambidhan Bachao’ Rally as Political Gimmick to Save Party, Not Constitution

Bhubaneswar, July 11 : The Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on the Congress on Thursday, alleging that the party’s ‘Sambidhan Bachao’ (Save the Constitution) rally held in Bhubaneswar was a veiled attempt to revive its dwindling political relevance rather than a genuine effort to uphold constitutional values.

Speaking at a press conference, BJP Odisha Vice President Biranchi Tripathy claimed that the Congress has historically undermined democratic principles and is now using the Constitution as a tool to protect its waning political fortunes.

“The Congress party is not trying to save the Constitution; it is desperately trying to save its own existence,” Tripathy said, highlighting the party’s declining vote share and seat count in recent national elections.

Taking direct aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Tripathy accused him of hypocrisy, recalling an incident where Gandhi allegedly tore up a cabinet decision during a press conference without holding any constitutional authority.

“It is shameful for someone like Rahul Gandhi to talk about saving the Constitution. He must first explain what authority he had to tear up an official decision,” Tripathy added.

The BJP leader also accused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of insulting President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal leader from Odisha and the first tribal woman to hold India’s highest constitutional post. Tripathy demanded an apology from both Kharge and Gandhi, stating that “the people of Odisha deserve respect, not humiliation.”

Tripathy criticized the Congress party’s leadership structure, calling it a “family-run party” that has been centered around dynastic politics since independence.

“From Nehru to Rahul Gandhi, the Congress has been a party of father-daughter, mother-son, and even son-in-law,” he said, mocking the party’s long-standing leadership lineage.

The BJP leader also cited several historical examples where, according to him, the Congress tampered with constitutional values:

• 1951: The Nehru government passed the First Constitutional Amendment, curbing the freedom of speech and expression.
• 1975: Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency and brought in the 42nd Amendment, which, Tripathy claimed, drastically altered the Constitution’s character and curtailed civil liberties.
• Use of Article 356: He alleged that Congress misused the provision over 100 times to dismiss democratically elected state governments.

On the Kashmir issue, Tripathy criticized the Congress for what he termed as a “separate deal” with Sheikh Abdullah, which led to the controversial implementation of Articles 370 and 35(A), leaving the Kashmir problem unresolved for decades.

Tripathy concluded by urging Congress leaders to introspect and acknowledge their historical missteps before claiming to defend constitutional principles.

“Before preaching about saving the Constitution, the Congress should revisit its own history and actions that have weakened it over the decades,” he asserted.

The press conference marked a significant escalation in the war of words between the BJP and the Congress ahead of the upcoming political season in Odisha.