Rahul Gandhi concludes his Orissa Tour on a High Note

Congress MP and heir to Gandhi legacy, Rahul Gandhi concluded his 4-day trip to Orissa on a high note. He was overwhelmed to see the response he got from poor, tribal and youth of Orissa. Rahul's visit was significant for Congress Party in Orissa, which is in a bad shape in the absence of a strong leadership. Rahul's visit provided the much-needed strength and encouragement to the Congress workers both at top level and ground level.

Riding on a 'populist budget' presented by the UPA government, Rahul took full advantage of it, while pushing the ruling BJD-BJP government into defensive. Wherever Rahul went, he did not forget to pull up the state government for its alleged failure in implementing the schemes and for following a pro-industry policy at the cost of poor people.

Rahul Gandhi disapproved the mining policy of the state government, saying mining in hills of Orissa would damage the environment. He opposed the proposal of mining bauxite in hills in eastern Orissa by Sterlite Industries. He also ruled out early Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul Gandhi urged the people of the state to "throw away" the BJD-BJP regime, as it had failed to deliver. While the NREGA has been successful in all Congress-ruled states, I could not find a single place in Orissa where NREGA is implemented properly", Rahul said. People turned up in large numbers everywhere to greet him. However, it is yet to be seen if the huge crowd turnout will translate into votes in the next assembly elections in Orissa.