The political rivalry between the Congress and BJP, which has dominated discussions in Parliament, spilled over into Odisha on Thursday, with both parties staging protests across the state.

Congress leaders and workers demonstrated in Bhubaneswar, Nuapada, and Balasore, expressing outrage over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s alleged remarks on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. The protesters carried banners and raised slogans condemning what they called an affront to the legacy of the architect of the Indian Constitution.

“We cannot remain silent when such statements are made. They insult the very foundation of equality and justice that Dr. Ambedkar stood for,” said a senior Congress leader during the Bhubaneswar protest.

In a counter-protest, members of the BJP’s youth wing staged rallies in response to the Congress’s allegations, accusing the party of politicizing the matter to divert attention from pressing national issues. The Youth BJP workers held demonstrations in multiple locations, demanding an apology from Congress leaders for what they called baseless accusations against Amit Shah.

The political heat in Odisha mirrors the intensity of debates in Parliament, as both parties remain locked in a bitter battle over contentious remarks and their implications. With protests spreading across districts, the political climate in the state is expected to remain charged in the coming days.