A massive dharna at Kamapalli Square here demanding setting up of IIM in Brahmapur entered the third day on Thursday. leaders of all political parties, people’s representatives, journalists, lawyers, social activists, intellectuals and students have joined the indefinite dharna to pressure the Government to choose the city for IIM location.
Brahmapur BJD MlA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik, BJD Ganjam district president Subash Moharana, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Congress leader Bikram Panda, BJP leader Bibhuti Jena, Aam Aadmi Party leader Prabhat Kumar Mohanty, IIM for Brahmapur Campaign coordinator Sudhir Rout, Mahan Sangha president Susanta Sabat, social activist Tumbanath Panda, educationist PSN Rao, corporator Ashok Shukla, lawyer Sibaprasad Mishra and Abanikant and students of different colleges have been participating in the agitation.
The leaders stated that Brahmapur has been neglected by the Governments from the time of Independence.
“Our city is the nerve-centre of education and business in south Odisha. Other parts of the State have got Central-level educational and research institutes, but we are yet to get any Central institute,” they said.
Educationists said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who belongs to Ganjam district and represents Hinjlicut Assembly constituency under the Brahmapur Parliamentary constituency, should fight for the district at national level.
The political leaders said the stir would continue till the demand is fulfilled. “We will intensify our agitation in the district by organising youths, student mass and common people to put pressure on the Government,” said Congress leader Chandra Sekhar Sahu.