Bhubaneswar, Aug 26 (IANS): Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived in Orissa Thursday to address a rally of tribals in Kalahandi district where a mining project proposed by the Vedanta group was rejected by the environment ministry.

Gandhi arrived at Therubali air strip in Rayagada district at about 12.20 p.m., police said.

He proceeded to Lanjigarh in neighbouring Kalahandi district to address the tribals at Jagannathpur village near Niyamgiri hills, a senior district police official told IANS.

The youth wing of the party has organised the day as 'Tribal Rights Day'. Thousands of Dongaria Kondh and Kutia Kondh tribals were seen standing in long lines near the meeting venue to welcome the party's youth icon.

Many were wearing traditional dresses. Some performed the traditional dance to the beat of drums and other traditional musical instruments.

Gandhi is scheduled to spend about two hours in the district. He is also likely to interact with the Dongaria Kondh and Kutia Kondh people, a senior state Congress leader said.

Gandhi's visit assumes significance in view of the union environment ministry's rejection of London-listed Vedanta group's bauxite mining project in the area.

The ministry Tuesday axed the project, saying it will affect the tribals living in the area and the environment.

Gandhi visited the Lanjigarh area in 2008 and extended his support to the tribals opposed to mining in the area.

"This is a bid on the part of Gandhi to keep tribal youths away from Maoists," state Youth Congress president Pradeep Majhi told reporters.

"He has been fighting for the weaker sections, including tribals, since the beginning," Majhi said.