BJP Ladakh accuses Congress of politicising NEET Issue, rejects claim over Pardhan’s resignation

LEH: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ladakh, on Monday accused the Congress of politicising the recent NEET paper leak controversy and attempting to claim credit for the resignation of the Union Education Minister, asserting that the Centre’s decision was taken in the national interest and not under political pressure.

Addressing a press conference in Leh, BJP leaders alleged that the Congress had sought to exploit concerns surrounding the examination controversy for political advantage while misleading the public about the circumstances leading to the Minister’s resignation.

The party maintained that the Union Government had responded promptly to the NEET paper leak by initiating investigations and introducing legislative measures aimed at strengthening the examination system. BJP leaders argued that systemic reforms, rather than attributing responsibility to a single individual, were necessary to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.

Drawing parallels with the Congress victory rally held recently in Leh, the BJP alleged that the opposition party was attempting to portray the Minister’s resignation as the outcome of its campaign, describing it as a continuation of what it termed a pattern of political mobilisation.

The BJP also revisited the events of September 24, 2025, rejecting allegations made by the Congress against the party over the violence reported on that day. Party leaders alleged that the unrest had been politically orchestrated after the Congress anticipated an unfavourable outcome in the then-proposed LAHDC Leh elections, and claimed that social activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Apex Body Leh were drawn into an increasingly charged political environment. The BJP defended the role of the then former Chief Executive Councillor, stating that he had discharged his responsibilities in accordance with his official duties.

Targeting the Congress over the examination controversy, BJP leaders alleged that the party had remained silent during several paper leak incidents that occurred under previous Congress-led governments, including those relating to PMT, AIIMS, CIBS-linked examinations and the Economics paper. They further alleged that examination irregularities had continued in states governed by the Congress.

The BJP criticised remarks attributed to Congress leaders regarding Sonam Wangchuk’s movement, contending that the opposition had attempted to derive political mileage from the campaign instead of focusing on long-term reforms in the education sector.

The party further alleged that the Congress had attempted to appropriate the CJP movement, claiming that the platform had evolved independently before becoming associated with the NEET issue and later receiving support from Wangchuk through his hunger strike.

According to the BJP, opposition leaders used the protest platform for political purposes and sought to claim credit after the movement gained wider public attention. The party claimed that BJP representatives had appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, while alleging that senior Congress leaders did not visit him during the protest.

The BJP also referred to remarks it attributed to activist Geetanjali, alleging that she had criticised the Congress for attempting to appropriate the movement despite not participating at the protest site. It further claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined demonstrations only after the issue had gained national prominence.

Concluding the press conference, BJP leaders reiterated that the resignation of the Union Education Minister was a decision taken by the Centre in the national interest and rejected suggestions that it had resulted from pressure mounted by the Congress.