Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was accorded a rousing reception as he arrived at Biramitrapur in Odisha's Sundergarh district on Tuesday.

Colourfully attired tribal dancers swayed to the beats of drums as they welcomed Rahul and the Bharat Joda Naya Yatra.

The small industrial town of Biramitrapur, 336km from the Odisha capital, had been decked up with banners, cut-outs and large hoardings to welcome the Gandhi scion in whom the tribals repose their faith.

Rahul freely interacted with the people accepting their greetings and inquiring about their wellbeing. “I am happy to be here. I will be here in Odisha for another two to three days. I will listen to all of you for nearly seven to eight hours. You should come up and tell me about your grievances. If there are any local issues, I will try to sort them out,” he said.

Rahul explained why he chose to embark on a Bharat Joda Naya Yatra and its objectives. He also pointed out how during his Kanyakumari to Kashmir Yatra, he had worked to unite the country.

“I am feeling happy about getting such a rousing welcome. In Nafrat Ki Bazaar mein, Apne Mohabat Ki Dukan Kholi.” Rahul said.

In his short speech, Rahul also pointed out how injustice is being meted out to the poor people of India in all sectors- economy, no employment and social injustice. "There is injustice against women, farmers, tribals and the poor. This yatra is against all these,” he said,

During his short speech, he tried to educate them about their rights on land and how their land was transferred to the non-tribals and rich industrialists like Adani.

Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Sarat Kumar Pattanayak pointed out how the BJP and BJD are hand-in-glove and have looted the state for the last 24 years. “Here the Congress workers have united to give a tough fight to both the BJD and BJP and bring back Congress to power both at the state and the centre,” said Pattanayak.

Rahul entered Biramitrapur town in an open jeep with people throwing flower petals on the jeep. Choosing to enter Odisha through Sundergarh district assumes significance as the area considered as the bastion of the BJP. Former Union minister Jual Oram represents the Sundergarh Lok Sabha seat.

On Wednesday, Rahul is scheduled to address several meetings and undertake a padayatra from Uditnagar to Panposh Chowk in Rourkela. In Sundergarh district, Rahul will address another two meetings at Kutra and Baragaon on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, he will leave for Chhattisgarh after attending a series of programmes in Jharsuguda district.