Opposition Prepares to Challenge Government on NEET-UG Irregularities
As the Parliament reconvened on Friday, the government braced itself for confrontations with the Opposition, which was poised to raise allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance examination. The Lower House, Lok Sabha, witnessed tumultuous scenes as newly elected members were sworn in. While members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) took their oaths, multiple Opposition MPs erupted in protests, demanding attention to the NEET issue.
According to sources, the Opposition was expected to seize the opportunity to raise the NEET concerns during the Motion of Thanks debate on the President's address in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stood ready to respond to any questions or criticisms raised by the Opposition regarding the examination, armed with assurances that the government had taken swift action to address the reported problems.
Opposition Unites on NEET Demand
The India Bloc, an alliance of non-NDA parties, convened a meeting led by Congress President Malikarjun Kharge to strategize their approach. Consensus emerged on pressing the government for a thorough discussion on the NEET issue in both Houses.
The meeting drew participation from senior opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Kanimozhi, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leaders Sanjay Raut, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Arvind Sawant, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh and Sandeep Pathak, and others.
We are determined to pursue our demand for a discussion on NEET. The government must come forward and account for its actions, asserted Left leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya.
Government Response Prepared
Mallikarjun Kharge, who doubles as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, orchestrated two meetings with floor leaders within three days to ensure coordination among the Opposition parties.
However, Kharge was critical of the President's address, which he accused of omitting vital matters such as the NEET controversy and other pressing concerns. He alleged that the Modi government was living in denial about the mandate it received in the 2024 elections, which he claimed had rejected the ruling party's ambitious goals.
NEET Exam Controversy Lingers
The NEET-UG examination, held on May 5, 2024, sparked controversy following allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities in Patna. On Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made its first arrests in the case, detaining two individuals in Patna.
The examination results, announced on June 5, 2024, have remained under scrutiny, casting a shadow over the admissions process for medical schools in India.
