Health minister J P Nadda, govt’s interlocutor with CJP emphasised govt’s willingness to hold discussions
NEW DELHI: Health minister J P Nadda, govt’s interlocutor with Cockroach Janata Party, emphasised govt’s willingness to hold discussions with protestors while sidestepping their demand, made by opposition parties too, for the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, asserting the Centre will respond to every charge in debate in Parliament.Addressing a presser, Nadda accused Rahul Gandhi of seeking political mileage over the issue of the NEET-UG paper leak and being selective in his outrage, as the minister listed out numerous cases of leaks in exams held by states where Congress or other opposition parties have been in office.Asked if the demand for Pradhan’s resignation has been discussed within govt, he said, “Nahi, is tarike se nahi hota (no, it does not work like this)… We are willing for discussion. It will be in Parliament. They put across their views. Govt will answer.”Defence minister Rajnath Singh accused the opposition of trying to use the youth as a political tool for its selfish interests. Opposition netas were stoking a “manufactured sense of anger” to mislead them over the paper leak issue, he said. Nadda asked opposition parties to engage with govt to find a permanent solution to the menace, insisting that it is a serious issue which should not be politicised. With the opposition calling for Pradhan’s resignation, he said it should not change goalpost, a reference to govt’s claim that Rahul’s initial demand was for a discussion. Nadda said he had responded to CJP’s demands and was willing for more engagement. No talks were held Wednesday, he added.Rajnath expressed concern over the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar, now into its second month and drawing a sustained crowd, and emphasised govt’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the youth. Slamming the opposition, which has sensed an opening to put the governing alliance on the defensive, he said it was making a wrong attempt to settle issues on the street instead of Parliament.
