Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Odisha next month to address students as part of the Congress’ ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme, said the party’s state unit chief Bhakta Charan Das Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters here, Das said he requested the party leadership to organise a ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Odisha in October.
The Congress has been looking to expand the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (Echo of students) initiative as the party’s outreach to students and young voters, with Gandhi addressing such events in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj and Pune. The last one in Pune August 22 was for girl students.
Gandhi has announced that his fifth edition of the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ initiative will be held in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore September 19.
About the proposed programme in the Odisha capital, Das said, “Preparations for the event have already begun, and around 20,000 students, including Gen-Z, are expected to take part in it.”
Das said that Gandhi is the only alternative leader in the country and stands as a strong force behind crores of people in this country.
The Congress leaders also informed reporters that the party will organise a training programme for its functionaries and district units. Several leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, and D K Shivakumar, would visit the state to address public programmes.
On the other hand, the BJP’s Odisha unit youth wing chief Avilash Panda said Congress can hold any political activity, “but, I am confident that the students of Odisha will not stand for a leader who raises questions on our armed forces and makes critical remarks against the country’s sovereignty and integrity.”
