Congress, BJP Take Divergent Views On Pradhan's Resignation

BENGALURU: The ruling Congress party and the main opposition party-the Bharatiya Janata Party of Karnataka take divergent views over the resignation of Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, of BJP, who tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday over NEET examination question leak. The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan was one of the main demands of protesting students.

Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the resignation of Pradhan “a victory for democracy and the Constitution. It is also a victory for the awakened students and youth of this country.”

Lauding the students gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for the resignation of Pradhan, Siddaramaiah said “Lakhs of students and young people camped in Delhi braving the scorching sun, rain, hunger and ill health. Even in the face of police brutality, they refused to be provoked and continued their peaceful struggle.” The former Chief Minister stated “Their courage has kindled a new hope across the country.”

The resignation of the Education Minister alone will not resolve all the problems plaguing the education sector, he said and stated “Until Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has commercialised everything from politics to education, is removed from office, neither can the education system be repaired nor can India survive as a democracy.”

But, State president of Bharatiya Janata Party and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra termed the resignation of Pradhan that he respected the sentiments of students and acknowledging their concerns, decided to resign and stated Pradhan took the decision to resign solely in the interest of students.

Recalling Pradhan’s political journey before he resigned, Vijayendra said Pradhan consistently fought for the students’ rights since his days in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad as a leader who represented the voice of millions of students across the country decades back.