BHUBANESWAR — Senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has addressed his recent departure from the Union Cabinet, revealing that attempts by external forces to misguide Gen Z students during the NEET paper leak row prompted his resignation as Education Minister.
Delivering his first public remarks on the matter at GM University in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan emphasized that he voluntarily submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 25, choosing to prioritize student welfare over holding administrative office.
Key Highlights
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Catalyst for Departure: Pradhan stated he stepped down after observing efforts to politically manipulate agitating students during nationwide NEET paper leak demonstrations.
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Defense of Record: Responding to “go back” demonstrations staged by BJD youth wings upon his arrival in Odisha, Pradhan refuted claims by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, asserting he has consistently upheld the state’s honor.
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Opposition Response: BJD Sambalpur district president Rohit Pujari dismissed Pradhan’s explanation, attributing the student unrest and subsequent backlash to police action during protests at Jantar Mantar.
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Bipartisan Presence: Pradhan addressed a secondary gathering in Rairakhol in the presence of BJD MLA Prasanna Acharya, noting he had directly consulted senior state leadership prior to attending.
