Kiren Rijiju says Opposition 'running away' from NEET debate, offers to let it decide timing

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday accused the Opposition of attaching "pre-conditions" and trying to "run away" from a debate on the NEET paper leak issue, asserting that the government was ready for an extensive discussion in both Houses of Parliament.

As the Opposition continued to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rijiju told the Lok Sabha that the government, too, wanted to present its side on the controversy during the debate. He said Opposition members could speak for "as long as they want", adding that the discussion could continue for even two days.

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According to Rijiju, the government had reached out to the Congress and other Opposition parties to facilitate the debate, while the Opposition was free to decide its date and duration.

Rijiju made the remarks after the Lok Sabha reconvened at noon following an earlier adjournment amid noisy protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The House was later adjourned again till 2 pm as the ruckus continued.

Defending the government's stand, Rijiju said the Opposition was avoiding a discussion by insisting on preconditions. "By attaching pre-conditions and excuses, Opposition trying to run away from NEET paper leak debate," he said, adding that the government had no objection to a detailed discussion and was willing to accommodate the Opposition on its scheduling.

Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to allow the House to function, stressing the importance of Question Hour. "The Question Hour is the most important. After the Question Hour, the House is ready to discuss every issue. I will speak to the government, and the government is also ready for discussions. I appeal to all members to participate in the discussion after the Question Hour," Birla said.

Meanwhile, top Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, met Birla amid repeated disruptions over the demand for a debate on the NEET paper leak issue. Trinamool Congress MPs Saugata Roy and Mahua Moitra were also present during the meeting.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge rejected the government's assertion that it was willing to discuss the issue, claiming the Centre had failed to act when the Opposition first sought a debate. "If they were ready for a discussion, it would have started on the first day we had demanded it. Why were they not ready?" Kharge said.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav meet Lok Sabha Speaker

Stepping up his attack, Kharge alleged that the government had cracked down on students protesting the alleged paper leak and accused ruling party MPs of obstructing Opposition lawmakers in Parliament. "Later, you lathi-charged the students...We are Parliament members, but the people from the ruling party itself blocked the door today. They should be ashamed," he said.

Reiterating the Opposition's demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, Kharge said the parliamentary impasse would continue "until he resigns". He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the controversy, alleging that the Prime Minister had "openly asked his MPs to counter the students' agitation". "The PM's intentions are not right. He has never spoken on various issues," Kharge said.