Is PM Modi's birthday post for Dharmendra Pradhan a vote of confidence?
Over the years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown his own way of backing his ministers when they have faced political heat amid controversies. Be
Over the years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown his own way of backing his ministers when they have faced political heat amid controversies. Be it Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who faced impeachment proceedings, or Hardeep Singh Puri, whose name appeared in files linked to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, PM Modi has chosen a public show of support over silence. Now, PM Modi's effusive praise for under-fire Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on his birthday has sent a subtle message amid demands for his sacking over the NEET-UG paper leak fiasco. Read Full Story Pradhan, who turned 57 on June 26, has faced a wave of criticism and outrage over the NEET-UG paper leak, CUET-UG exam delays, and issues with CBSE's paper-checking portal. Leading the demand for Pradhan's sacking is the youth-driven Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical outfit that is holding protests across the country seeking his removal and an overhaul of the examination handling process. Pradhan has, however, brazened it out. While he has taken responsibility for the NEET-UG fiasco, he has not shown any inclination to step down as Education Minister. WHAT PM'S POST FOR DHARMENDRA PRADHAN MEANS? Amid the row, PM Modi's enthusiastic praise for Pradhan on his birthday raises key questions. Does it signal that Pradhan continues to enjoy the PM's backing despite the backlash? And more importantly, does this throw cold water on all demands for his sacking? Judge it yourself. PM Modi's post for Pradhan has been viewed by political analysts as more than just a birthday wish.
It read more like an endorsement of his assignment and his work. On Friday, the Prime Minister hailed Pradhan's "commendable efforts" in implementing the national education policy or NEP. "Birthday wishes to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He is making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation," PM Modi tweeted. "Praying for his long and healthy life," Modi further said. The Prime Minister's praise for Pradhan's work is being widely seen as a signal of confidence in his minister. The timing is also crucial, coming amid the buzz of a reshuffle in the Union Cabinet as the Modi 3.0 government completed two years in office. There has been intense speculation that Pradhan may be shifted to another ministry, or be drafted in for organisational work ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. However, an unceremonious exit from the Union Cabinet for Pradhan would be bad optics for the NDA government. It may seem like PM Modi bowing to the growing clamour for Pradhan's sacking. On the other hand, experts have argued that such a pivot risks the government being accused of not being alive to the sentiments of the youth, who have joined in large numbers in protests against Pradhan. Moreover, the NEET-UG paper leak is likely to be the opposition's weapon of choice during the Monsoon session of Parliament to corner the government. The sparks were already visible on Friday as the Congress took potshots at PM Modi for praising the "underperforming" Pradhan.
The BriefWire