Odisha youth, who walked 1350 km to meet PM Modi, to sit on dharna in Delhi

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: A 30-year-old youth from Odisha, Muktikant Biswal, who walked 1,350 km distance to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, will sit on dharna after he was disappointed to get appointment with the latter.

Muktikant decided to stage dharna from Saturday if he fails to get permission today to meet PM Modi.

“I will approach the PMO today seeking permission to meet Modi. If I did not get assurance to get appointment for the meeting, will seek permission from the Delhi administration to sit on dharna from Saturday,” he was quoted by ‘Sambad’ as saying.

Muktikant was disappointed after the PMO officials returned him with negative response not allowing him to meet the Prime Minister. He was told that it is impossible to fix meeting with PM Modi in the next seven days.

He started journey on foot from Rourkela on April 16 to meet Modi in the national capital to remind him of his promises made to public of his hometown during 2014 elections. Holding tricolour and carrying a bag, he walked covering a distance of 1,350 km to meet his target.

While his journey and mission was well praised by the media and opposition parties across the country, Union Minister Jual Oram, who represents Sundergarh Lok Sabha constituency, criticised him alleging the padayatra as the ‘Congress Sponsored’. He said that there was no need for Muktikant to meet PM as the projects have already started.

After reaching Delhi on Jule 27, Muktikant went to Jual Oram as he is the elected representative from Sundergarh at Centre. However, Oram’s remarks disappointed him. Even the minister did not extend his hand to help him in fixing appointment with the PM.

Reacting to his statement, BJP legislator from Rourkela Assembly constituency Dilip Ray expressed his displeasure saying the comments as ‘irresponsible’ and appealed everyone to avoid such comments.

“I have time and again emphasised on the fact that the demand of Second ROB Over Brahmani River and upgradation of IGH are deeply attached with the emotions of the people of Sundargarh District and more particularly of Rourkela City. Muktikant Biswal, a boy from my constituency who walked 1,350 kms for 71 days, with a bag on his back and the national flag in his hand for these two issues is a vivid illustration of this fact”, Ray posted on Facebook.

He expressed his gratitude to his parents for the padayatra and encouraging step as part of responsibility towards nation.

“I went to his house and expressed my gratitude to his parents. I salute his indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment for his city Rourkela that encouraged him to undertake this tough journey. But it is really saddening to see that many are terming it to be a sponsored one. No one is going to walk a distance of 1300-1400 Kms even if it is sponsored and this is entirely unacceptable and such irresponsible comments should have been avoided in the first place itself,” Ray posted on the social media site.

“Once Muktikant returns from Delhi, I myself will join him on this issue and undertake a “Padayatra” from IGH to Brahmani Bridge,” he wrote.