TNI Bureau: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Odisha government, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Nityananda Gond.

He warned that if the minister does not step down within the stipulated period, the Congress will call for a statewide Odisha Bandh.

Addressing the media, Das said the student movement has evolved into a larger public movement and asserted that the Congress would stand firmly with students in their fight for justice. He stated that the party would extend full support to the ongoing “Gen Z” movement across Odisha, in line with Rahul Gandhi’s appeal to back student-led initiatives.

Das also claimed that the BJP government’s “countdown has begun” following the student protests. Questioning the government’s stance, he asked why the state Education Minister should not resign if the Union Education Minister has already stepped down. He reiterated that the Congress would continue to intensify its agitation until its demands are met.