Pradhan's exit fuels calls for Punjab ministers' resignation over paper leaks
The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister over the NEET paper leak controversy has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Punjab, with Opposition parties
The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister over the NEET paper leak controversy has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Punjab, with Opposition parties demanding the resignation of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh over alleged paper leaks and other examination irregularities in the state. The BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) argue that Pradhan's resignation has strengthened the case for fixing accountability in Punjab as well, where they claim multiple recruitment and board examination papers have been leaked in recent years. AAP has maintained that any instances of examination irregularities have been investigated and action taken wherever wrongdoing has been established. It has not, however, responded specifically to the Opposition's latest demand for ministerial resignations.
Read Full Story Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring welcomed Pradhan's resignation, calling it a victory for students' protests. He demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also accept responsibility, alleging that papers for several examinations, including recruitment tests and the Class 12 English examination, were leaked during the AAP government's tenure. Warring also claimed that students protesting against paper leaks had faced police action and accused the government of failing to ensure accountability. He recalled earlier statements by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia that ministers should resign if examination papers were leaked and said the same principle should now apply in Punjab. The BJP also stepped up its attack on the Punjab government.
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa questioned why AAP leaders who had backed protests over the NEET controversy were not raising similar concerns over alleged paper leaks in Punjab. He urged the Punjab government to take strict action against those responsible and demanded the resignation of Bains. The SAD echoed similar demands. SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused the Punjab government of failing to protect the integrity of the examination system and sought the resignation of both Bains and Singh, alleging repeated examination scandals under the AAP government. AAP leaders have previously argued that equating every examination irregularity with ministerial accountability is misleading, maintaining that the government has acted against officials wherever evidence of wrongdoing emerged.
The BriefWire