Kalahandi, Mar 7: Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in Orissa called for forward movement by the people of the state. In an apparent attempt to create anti-incumbency in the state, considering the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, Rahul firmly said that the public must fight for their rights and demand employment from the state government.

While highlighting Centre's achievements, the AICC General Secretary stated that the Congress-led UPA government was emphatic to tribal plight. The Union government had passed the tribal bill thus bringing hope to tribals across the country and giving them those rights on their land which were earlier denied to them.

In a subtle attempt to expose the lack of education opportunities in the state, he cited an example of his visit to one village. He stated that on that visit when he asked someone about the total population of the state and the total number of graduates there, he was told that out of 8000 people residing there, there was only a single graduate. Also this person had left the place for better job opportunities.

While attacking the state BJP-led government, Rahul also remarked that the UPA government had fulfilled its promises.

The young Gandhi, who travelled from Visahkapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in a helicopter, landed at Nangalboard helipad, some 450 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, a few minutes after 10 a.m.

While senior Congress leaders welcomed him with garlands and flowers, thousands of people standing around the helipad greeted him as he started his visit to the region known for its backwardness and poverty.

Gandhi, MP from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and Congress general secretary, is slated to travel by helicopter and by road to several villages and towns in at least 13 districts.

On March 10, he will visit the state Congress office at Bhubaneswar and meet party functionaries.