Jitendra Singh details fallout of talks with Congress leader
NEW DELHI: Union minister Jitendra Singh accused the opposition leader Rahul Gandhi of shifting his demands during talks over the Congress protest at Lok Kalyan Marg outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, alleging that the Congress leader was more interested in “confrontation” than resolving the issue through dialogue.Speaking to news agency ANI, Singh said he and Union home secretary Govind Mohan were deputed by the government to meet senior Congress leaders after they began a sit-in protest at a location that, according to him, was not designated for demonstrations and was causing inconvenience to the public.”It was learned that Congress Party National President Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other had suddenly started a protest. It was also reported that the place was not very conducive to a sit-in protest. It was causing significant inconvenience to the public,” he said.The minister said the government sent the two officials to persuade the Congress leaders to shift the discussion to Parliament instead of continuing the protest. According to Singh, Rahul told them he would immediately end the sit-in if the government agreed to hold a discussion in Parliament on the NEET issue and related education matters. “Discussions were held with the top leadership of the government, and we were told to assure them on behalf of the government that the government has no objection. The government is ready to discuss NEET in Parliament, both related issues and the ongoing protests,” Singh said.However, Singh alleged that Rahul then introduced a new condition, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.The Union minister said he told the Congress leader that “changing the goalpost” was unfair, but Gandhi maintained that it was his prerogative.Singh further alleged that despite the government’s willingness to discuss the issue, Rahul Gandhi insisted on continuing the protest. He further alleged that despite the government’s willingness to discuss the issue, Rahul Gandhi insisted on continuing the protest.”It’s very unfortunate that the LoP behaves this way, changing his stance so quickly. This means he’s in a mood of conflict. He doesn’t want to cooperate with the government to discuss or advance public interest issues. They’ve come with the intention of confrontation, conflict, and finding an issue,” Singh said. Congress party launched a protest outside PM’s residence demanding education minister’s resignation over the NEET paper leak case. This comes a day after massive ‘Sansad Chalo’ march by the Cockroach Janta Party. Rahul also called for people to join the protest.”An attack on students is an attack on every Indian family. Prime Minister Modi thinks he can escape without giving answers, without facing any consequences – he won’t be able to, not at all this time. I appeal to every patriotic Indian who believes that our students should get justice – join our dharna in front of the Prime Minister’s residence,” he said.”The voice of India’s students cannot be ignored. An attack on students is an attack on every Indian family. PM Modi believes he can get away without answers, without consequences. He cannot. Not this time. I ask every patriotic Indian who believes our students deserve justice – join us in dharna in front of the Prime Minister’s residence. The voice of India’s students will not be ignored,” he added. Meanwhile, the CJP protest continued at the Jantar Mantar with top political leaders like Sharad Pawar, Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, Supriya Sule joining the protest.
